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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 4 Hansard (3 April) . . Page.. 1380 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

government to provide more favourable circumstances in which providers can operate. As Mr Corbell said, the land and planning system can be used, especially in Canberra, as an instrument for both improving affordability and increasing the supply of affordable housing.

The business sector is a component for ACT Housing. Even today I have been working through the words we put into the tender documents when we auctioned off land on the site of the former Burnie Court. We are looking at those issues, and it is not always easy to come up with the systems that will deliver what you want.

Housing is very much an issue in the community these days. Some years ago it did not seem to rate very highly, but now I understand it is very much an issue. I think it was Mrs Dunne who commented on the stress that people find themselves under in meeting their housing costs, and the report also makes some comment. I despair when the papers comment every second week, "Good news! Your housing value's gone up."I see that as bad news because it becomes harder for people to find a house. It is okay if you own a house-or more than one house-but trying to get into the market is becoming difficult.

The government will shortly-later this month, I think-be releasing a community housing framework that will provide strategic directions for the consolidation and the expansion of that sector. I know there are some reservations in the community about that sector at the moment, but it does have advantages. It has a bit more flexibility than the public housing sector. If we can find some flexibility and other means of doing things, that suits me fine.

I will also be releasing $3 million to the community housing sector for a number of innovative projects, which will have some impact on that sector. That will be announced very shortly. We continue to address homelessness, and Aboriginal housing funding will be released shortly-another project that will be good. We will be moving to establish a transitional indigenous accommodation service for young male teenagers.

The work of ACT Housing in providing services goes on, and a great deal of work is progressing for tenants who need rehousing as a result of the bushfire. The capital works program continues, with substantial refurbishment of a number of big flat complexes either recently completed or under way.

Finally, the government responded to the issue of land supply and its role in determining housing affordability. (Extension of time granted.) Indeed, earlier this week Mr Corbell spoke about the initiatives that his department has embarked upon to ease pressure on land supply. Land is expensive at the moment, but if we remove developers' profits and use those within the ACT for the community, it will be an enormous bonus for us all.

I am confident that the revised version of the draft Territory Plan 200 will be of help. I think that is still being worked through, Mrs Dunne. I will be reporting back to you some time in May in the terms of the amendment.

MS TUCKER (4.48): I seek leave to speak again.

Leave granted.

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