Page 2625 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
will consider a range of regional planning issues, such as the future potential development in Kowen around Queanbeyan and the Sydney to Canberra corridor.
A working group chaired by ACTPLA will oversee the study. Macroplan, as was reported in Saturday’s Canberra Times, is the consultancy that will be undertaking the study on behalf of the government. The project commences this month and will conclude in early 2008.
When finalised, Mr Speaker, this study will make recommendations on areas of possible future development. The findings will prompt detailed planning in that area. Of course, any development in the area is subject to a variation to the territory plan and an amendment to the national capital plan. It is important to set the time frame for this, so any development as a result of this study will be two or three years away.
Mr Speaker, this investigation is another example of the government’s commitment to sound, strategic planning and to taking the territory forward. We are implementing well-designed strategic plans to provide the land for continued growth of industry in the ACT and, of course, most importantly, to provide an employment base into the future.
This study represents the ongoing implementation of the Canberra spatial plan, which was released in 2004. This spatial plan will enable land uses to be determined well ahead of their release. It also builds on and is a further indication of the statements I made in the statement of planning intent that I issued earlier this year, where I undertook that the ACT Planning and Land Authority would maintain an inventory of five years supply of commercial and industrial land.
So I must say, Mr Speaker, it was interesting to read—when you turn over this article—page 2 of the Canberra Times on the weekend to see the comments of the shadow minister. It is worth noting, and I will quote them for Assembly members:
There has been no mention of this from either him—
the Chief Minister—
or minister Andrew Barr, which indicates to me it’s an idea developed very quickly and that’s typical of the lack of forward-planning in terms of land release.
Well, Mr Speaker, I would refer the shadow minister to the spatial plan of 2004, where the eastern broadacre area was foreshadowed as a possible area of future growth. This study is, of course, the first step. For the benefit of the shadow minister, I will read from the spatial plan: a second north-south corridor along the Majura and Monaro highways from the Majura Valley through Symonston and the Jerrabomberra valley, including the existing Hume industrial area. This corridor is identified for the growth of industrial, broadacre, commercial, tourism, recreation and transport-related activities when additional land is required—ie, over the medium to longer term. This largely industrial area also intersects with the Canberra International Airport and Fyshwick, providing good access to these areas for heavy vehicles without the need to travel through the centre of Canberra.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .