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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Wednesday, 10 March 2004) . . Page.. 981 ..

Oxygen supply subsidy

MR CORBELL: Today in question time Mr Smyth asked me a question about when the Department of Health formally approached Ms Anne Cahill Lambert in relation to advising her of an act of grace payment to assist her with the purchase of oxygen for an illness.

I can advise the Assembly that Dr Tony Sherbon, the Chief Executive of the Department of Health, left a message on Mrs Cahill Lambert’s answering machine on Monday between 12.40 pm and 1.00 pm advising her that the Treasurer had approved the act of grace payment. This was followed up with a fax and a formal letter on Tuesday.

Land development

MR CORBELL: In question time yesterday Ms Dundas asked me a question in relation to block 13 of section 32 in Belconnen and I undertook to provide further details. I can now advise Ms Dundas that the block was included in the 2003-04 land release program; it is approximately 3.5 hectares in size and will be auctioned on 16 March to allow for a variety of purposes, including bulky goods retailing.

As part of the work necessary to release the land for sale, a number of studies were undertaken, including a tree survey. The survey identified a number of significant trees, some of which are in the area identified for potential development. The lease and development conditions prepared for the site took into account the results of the tree survey. The lease and development conditions and planning control plan have been approved by ACTPLA.

The lease and development conditions mention that advice is being sought from the Conservator of Flora and Fauna in respect of nominated trees within that site. The Land Development Agency has received advice from the Conservator of Flora and Fauna which indicates that some trees can be removed on tree health or public and private safety grounds.

In respect of the other nominated trees the conservator advises that their removal would be supported only if the removal criteria are satisfied, that is, if it is demonstrated to the ACT Planning Authority, having regard for the broader strategic plan objectives of the Territory Plan and associated urban planning by the authority, that all reasonable development options and design solutions have been considered to avoid or minimise the requirement for tree damaging activity. I hope that clarifies the situation for members. For the information of members I wish to table extracts from the auction documentation, as well as advice from the Conservator of Law and Fauna in respect of the nominated trees on block 13, section 32, Belconnen.

Papers

Mr Corbell presented the following papers:

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