Page 652 - Week 02 - Thursday, 6 March 2008
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In considering all the issues raised, in August 2007 I appointed Ms Sue Holliday, the former Director-General of the New South Wales Department of Planning, as an independent assessor to work with a reference group. The reference group, consisting of industry, community councils and professionals, assisted in the review of the first draft of the territory plan. The role of the independent assessor was, in consultation with the reference group, to identify the extent to which ACTPLA had considered the issues raised in public submissions, particularly with respect to the translation of the existing controls. The contribution of Ms Holliday and the reference group helped to make significant improvements to the structure, usability and content of the plan. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the industry and community groups who participated in this process, which I believe is a good model for any future reviews.
Following this work, I released a new draft of the restructured territory plan for public consultation in November and December 2007. The independent assessor’s report was made publicly available during this consultation period. The second consultation attracted 57 comments, many of which were complimentary of the process by which the new draft had addressed issues raised in the initial consultation. All of the actions that followed the first draft are testament to this government’s commitment to a transparent and accountable process. Not only have we heard what the industry and community have told us, but we have acted on the feedback.
The new territory plan 2008 has been divided into three volumes for logical separation of specific and general provisions and for ease of cross-referencing. Volume 1 contains the governance provisions for the plan that outline how the plan will be administered under the new legislation. Volume 1 also contains the strategic directions, development tables, and precinct and development codes that are relevant for each zone. Volume 2 consists of general codes that may be applicable to any zone, “overlay” provisions that are referred to in the territory plan map for specific areas or the areas that are being reviewed. Volume 2 also includes a set of definition of terms that are used widely in the territory plan. Volume 3 contains documents relating to future urban areas, comprised of structure plans, concepts plans and the future urban areas residential subdivision development code.
The logic behind the structure of the plan is to give ease of reference for users, depending on their purpose for accessing the plan. For example, if someone is only interested in future urban areas, they can refer to volume 3 in the first instance. If the purpose is to check the types of developments that are permitted in a particular zone, one needs to access the relevant development tables in volume 1, and if it is to identify the applicable controls, these are detailed in the relevant development codes of volume 1.
As a first step of the many measures that need to be in place to protect and enhance the built and natural environment, the restructured territory plan includes sustainability principles. At a broader level, the sustainability principles are part of the statement of strategic directions and, at a more detailed level, these are included in the codes. Of particular relevance is the inclusion of water-sensitive urban design in the general code and the provision for solar access and bushfire mitigation requirements in other codes. It is worth noting that it is easier and more cost-effective to implement
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