Page 670 - Week 02 - Thursday, 6 March 2008
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
quality and run-off rates. Monitoring of the outcomes from the relevant controls will indicate whether further review of these standards will be necessary.
Mr Speaker, the restructured territory plan has identified initiatives to implement sustainability principles in the general code for water sensitive urban design. These measures will reduce the reliance on potable water and, at the same time, improve water quality. For over one year, these principles have been applied for developments in the new estates but will now be extended to all developments under the new territory plan.
Other sustainability measures include solar efficient subdivision. The subdivision design should demonstrate that all the blocks can achieve at least the minimum solar access requirements in winter. This has been a key measure and something of great interest in the forums that I have been having on the solar premium. There has been a lot of interest in solar design and in block design as well. It has also been the topic of many planning and environment inquiry areas before. In addition, a minimum of 75 per cent of blocks are to achieve a minimum of three-star rating, and all blocks are to achieve at least a one-star rating. The controls in the new territory plan reinforces this government’s commitment to facilitate energy efficiency in our built environment.
In order to achieve a sustainable outcome in planning and design of new and existing urban areas, it is essential to work at the whole-of-government level. The new legislation gives statutory effect for agency referrals. This will ensure that planning policies in the new territory plan also support the objectives of waste minimisation, reuse and recycling, and sediment and erosion control.
The new territory plan also aims to achieve integrated transport and land use planning. By planning for medium to high-density residential development along major transport corridors—we have heard this discussed before—and focal points where other services and facilities can be easily accessed, it increases the incentives to use more environmentally friendly transport modes.
Providing affordable housing is another major priority for this government. Our affordable housing action plan stipulates that new estates in the greenfield areas are required to have 15 per cent of the blocks dedicated to less than 250 square metres in area and contribute to the provision of affordable housing. The new Planning and Development Act identifies concept plans for future urban areas as precinct codes in the restructured territory plan.
As detailed planning unfolds, concept plans will inform the development industry of planning controls applicable in the new estates and time frames required for the land supply. This provides a certainty that adequate planning-ready land would be available for development in future urban areas.
The ACT Planning and Land Authority is charged with the responsibility of preparing, administering and continually reviewing the territory plan. As part of the ongoing review process, the ACT government will endeavour to deliver those commitments we made for sustainable design through the planning process.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .