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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 286 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

The current entertainment, accommodation and leisure land use designation for the Hungarian Australian Club reflects the use of the site at the time the Territory Plan came into effect. Whilst the government accepts the continued operation of the existing club use on the site, it does not regard the land use arrangement as desirable and will be concerned about the impact any increase in activity would have on the amenity of the locality. Already, surrounding residents have complained about noise, and the location of the club immediately adjacent to a primary school is, as I have already outlined, less than desirable.

For these reasons, the government does not believe that retaining the existing land use policy arrangement is appropriate and accepts PALM's recommendation that the site would be better suited to residential use. Although it is acknowledged that the loss of the club will disadvantage some patrons who consider this facility important, the government believes that the land use policy should be changed to one which is more appropriate for the area and which delivers community benefit into the longer term.

Due to the specific characteristics of this site-such as its location, relationship to facilities, size and configuration, adjoining land uses and its inappropriateness as a club site-the variation provides an opportunity for residential uses, particularly dwellings that provide an alternative to the detached houses that predominate in the locality.

Sites that offer accessibility to established infrastructure (such as public transport and shops) and attractive living environments (such as mature streetscapes) are highly desirable and generally meet the principles for pursing sustainable development outcomes.

The government has been presented with a situation where the club has indicated it wishes to close, and the prospect of an alternative club operating viably on the site is remote. If a club were able to operate successfully on this site, it would only inevitably create other issues for the area, such as noise and traffic.

The government considers it is more desirable to see the site used for a worthwhile and higher purpose. To this end, the implementation of adaptable housing suitable to meet the needs of people with disabilities and Canberra's ageing population is an appropriate response.

I would now like to focus attention on the smaller parcel of vacant territory land adjoining the Hungarian Australian Club site. The original proposal for development in section 124 Narrabundah involved only the redevelopment of the club site. However, given the relationship of these blocks to the adjoining community facility land, it was recommended by PALM that the site be looked at in its entirety. The vacant land was considered unlikely to be used for community purposes, and it was concluded that the proposed Territory Plan variation should also incorporate the two small blocks. Among other things, it would provide an opportunity for compatible and complementary development to occur over the whole site.

The community facility land use policy applying to blocks 14 and 15 reflects a previous use that no longer exists on the site, the lease having been surrendered in 1994. However, particularly as the land did have a community facility status, its future was carefully assessed as part of the planning associated with draft variation 174.

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