Page 929 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 25 February 2009

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Order of occupancy rules exist in both Queensland and New South Wales. This means that when planning decisions are made, noise and other issues are considered before placing new developments inappropriately close to conflicting original uses. Order of occupancy rule can provide better certainty in city planning. Order of occupancy will help protect the character of Canberra’s suburbs against inappropriate high density development and ensure that town centres continue to provide a vibrant mixed use environment with an appropriate mixture of residential, commercial and entertainment uses. I look forward to further work on this matter.

With regard to bill posting, whilst I do not want to pre-empt the Standing Committee on Planning, Public Works and Territory and Municipal Services, I do want to briefly look at the elements of the motion calling for community space for bill posters. The feedback I have received since the Crimes (Bill Posting) Bill 2008 was referred to the committee suggests that there is a genuine community demand for bill posting, and that bill posting needs to be appropriately accommodated.

Some of the concerns I had regarding the bill included that there was not enough space for legal bill posting for community organisations and businesses to utilise. I look forward to the government’s response to this motion and hope they are able to address these concerns.

Late night transport is a concern for the opposition, and the appropriate support for adequate late night transport options must be provided for large scale events. I do, however, flag concerns that when public subsidies of transport services are provided, we must get value for money. The last thing we should advocate in this Assembly is running double the number of buses if it means doubling the number of empty buses. That is not good for the tax-paying public, the travelling public or the environment.

The opposition looks forward to working with the government and the Greens on the issues raised by this motion. I look forward to the government’s response and the standing committee’s inquiry.

MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (10.05): I would like to move an amendment to Mr Barr’s amendment, which is now being circulated in my name. I move:

Omit paragraph (2), substitute:

“(2) calls on the ACT Government to develop a policy and actions to support live events in our community, including, but not limited to:

(a) providing improved, accessible community space (such as bollards or clearly sign posted and prominent wall space) for the promotion of events via bill posters;

(b) supporting adequate late night transport options for large scale events; and

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