Page 3017 - Week 09 - Thursday, 21 September 2006
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Whilst I am pleased that in the final analysis, as is reported in this document, the aggrieved ratepayer did receive an apology, proposed criminal charges were abandoned by the DPP and procedures were changed, the level of stress endured by that individual was a matter of considerable concern to our committee. I am pleased that the departmental officials at the very least were willing to acknowledge the problems that occurred and had taken appropriately meaningful action. For that I am appreciative and I hope that the party concerned will take some measure of comfort from the outcome that we have achieved in relation to that matter.
Recommendations 10 through to 14 relate to skills and skill shortages, which were acknowledged in evidence by Mr Savery, as I recall, and by the minister. We have put forward a number of suggestions there. We have recommended that there be more promotion to school students by ACTPLA in relation to the planning profession and the benefits of planning. We have suggested that they explore the possibility or the feasibility of offering traineeships or cadetships which would ensure structured supervision and guidance for students in their third year or higher years of tertiary study.
We are recommending that the minister support the Planning Institute of Australia’s efforts to persuade the Australian government to recognise the planning profession as an occupation in demand to make it easier for overseas planners to work in Australia. Whilst that is an immediate solution and not necessarily a long-term solution, it is one that would alleviate the current pressures and demand that exist throughout Australia, but for our purposes within the ACT, for planners.
We have also recommended that the government encourage and support the work of the University of Canberra in establishing a professional planning course structure. We are recommending, to the extent that work has not already taken place, that the planning minister initiate discussion with his state and territory colleagues with a view to lobbying the commonwealth to provide even more resources and funding for university planning schools and increase the number of funded places for planning students.
As those who have taken an interest in this area will be aware, the demand in the private sector for planners is considerable and the challenge that presents therefore for government to recruit suitably qualified people is not something that is looked at lightly and is understood and appreciated by the committee, but we must make efforts to try to remedy the shortage and these are measures that we would like to recommend to the Assembly.
We have also proposed that the government give consideration to prescribing in proposed legislation that an independent review of the act be conducted after three years of operation. Finally, I would draw attention to recommendation 20, whereby the committee recommended that the Assembly implement the recommendations of the Auditor-General’s performance audit report No 2 of 2005 on the development application and approval process.
Mr Speaker, the committee would like to thank all of those who contributed to the inquiry by making submissions, providing additional information or appearing before it to give evidence. Finally, a report such as this does not come to completion without the hard work and professionalism of many. In fact, it is the most extensive report that has
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .