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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 05 Hansard (Tuesday, 25 May 2004) . . Page.. 2183 ..

National Zoo and Aquarium
(Question No 1319)

Mr Smyth asked the Minister for Planning, upon notice, on 3 March 2004:

In relation to the National Zoo and Aquarium:

(1) In relation to additional land for the National Zoo and Aquarium and your comments on WIN news on 16 February 2004, when did the National Capital Authority request a planning study regarding land around the National Zoo and Aquarium;

(2) When did the ACT Government decide it also wanted a planning study undertaken;

(3) Who was commissioned to undertake the study;

(4) Are copies of the report available; if so, where may copies be obtained; if not, why not;

(5) What are the major findings and recommendations of this report;

(6) When was the report received by the ACT Government;

(7) What was the total cost of this report and who bears the cost;

(8) When will a final decision be made on providing the National Zoo and Aquarium with more land.

Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The NCA advised the Department of Urban Services in October 2002 of their “in principle” support to the preparation of a Draft Amendment to the National Capital Plan if the proposal was supported by the ACT Government and subject to the demonstration of the project’s feasibility. The National Zoo and Aquarium Planning Investigation informs, and is part of the land covered by a wider strategic level planning study that is currently underway by the National Capital Authority (NCA) called the Central National Area – Western Foreshores and Environs Planning Framework. This strategic planning study is looking at the western third of Lake Burley Griffin and surrounds and is due for completion by June 2004 with preliminary findings anticipated by April 2004. The Zoo expansion site is Designated Land and the NCA has responsibility for planning decisions.

(2) Following Government consideration in March 2003 of the proposal by Mr Tindale, the ACT Government raised the matter with the NCA. ACT Government agencies have worked together with the NCA to achieve the Planning Investigation as part of the NCA’s wider study mentioned above. The consultants commenced work in September 2003.

(3) The National Zoo and Aquarium Planning Investigation was undertaken by consultants with a multi-disciplinary team led by EDAW Gillespies.

(4) Copies are not available at his time as the Planning Investigation is only a part of the wider strategic planning study and the consequences have not yet been fully considered by Government.

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