Page 1817 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 7 June 2006
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Land swaps, however, involve a number of issues, once again complicated and somewhat technical.
There are planning issues. For instance, the current site of the caravan park is one of only two in the territory which have an overlay explicitly permitting mobile homes. A variation to the territory plan would be necessary to provide the same policy provisions to other sites. There are issues around land servicing. If the site is not serviced, new connections have to be designed and contracts arranged for their delivery before a new site can be handed over. There are potentially environmental considerations, issues that can involve both the territory and the commonwealth governments and can also require additional surveys and studies.
Not least of all, of course, is the question whether there is any appropriate similar land that may be available, or could be identified, to be swapped and whether there could be an agreement between the parties in relation to the desirability, the value or the appropriateness of any land that might be identified as available for a swap. But these are issues, each of which is resolvable, each of which, with good will and through negotiation and some compromise, can be dealt with and resolved. That is one of the processes which the government is currently, through the task force and through ACTPLA, going through with Consolidated Builders.
Under normal circumstances, once a site has been identified it may take up to nine months to prepare it for release. Government officers are examining some of the range of complex issues involved in that process. While those issues are being addressed, it is important to ensure that an interim solution is found for the residents, which may involve the territory taking over responsibility for the caravan park until a final resolution is found. That is, to some extent, an option that is preferred by Consolidated Builders in relation to this matter—that the government resume responsibility on an interim licensing basis with Consolidated Builders.
That prospect, in turn, creates a number of issues which the government needs to work through, not the least being issues in relation to insurance and public liability. Dytin has raised several issues relating to building and other approvals and the implications of any irregularities for the company as the owner of the caravan park. The company has raised with the government the prospect of the government providing public liability indemnity if it does hand the site back to the government under this interim proposed arrangement. There are issues which the government needs to take advice on and consider in relation to that.
Negotiations with the developer are, as I said, continuing in good faith on both sides. The relationship with Mr Zivko and Consolidated Builders is very constructive and positive. I believe that there is a very good deal of good faith in both Consolidated Builders and Mr Zivko and in the government and government representatives. Further meetings, I know, are scheduled for this week to continue to progress issues in relation to the caravan park.
Mr Speaker, let me assure members that I am working sincerely and proactively to find a solution to the matter. I urge the community, the residents and all parties to maintain the good working relationship that has been exhibited to date. I feel certain that we will be
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