Page 3127 - Week 08 - Thursday, 25 June 2009
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The Committee recommends that new areas of suitable land be identified for use as horse paddocks and that the contract management of horse paddocks is reviewed.
I can accept that the minister is not responsible for the contracts—that is done in TAMS—but in terms of the future establishment of horse paddocks it is interesting. The recommendation was noted. It said:
ACTPLA does not make specific provisions for additional horse paddocks within Canberra’s urban area including Molonglo. In relation to other recreational and sporting facilities, these are considered in detail as part of either the structure plan or the concept plan/precinct code stage, in consultation with ACT Government agencies. “Horse paddock” is not a use under the Territory Plan. However, horse agistment is permitted under the “agriculture” use in relevant Territory Plan zones.
The committee was saying that when we plan we should make sure that they are included in the plans. I do not think that is an unreasonable request. There are a lot of people who participate in horse riding, from young kids that are learning to ride all the way up to those that compete at the national and international level. Over the years Canberra has had a good reputation for the facilities that we have been providing here. It would be a shame if, as land is withdrawn from the horse paddocks for development, as might be fit and proper, there is no allowance to make sure that additional land is found to compensate for the lost land.
I understand that there are several hundred, if not thousands, of people involved directly in riding on a regular basis. I understand that there is a waiting list for agistment in the ACT—people looking for a place to keep their horse so that they can be close. I understand that a lot of local residents keep their horses across the border in New South Wales, which means revenue that is lost interstate. The equine community are simply saying that they would like a fair go—they would like to know what the process is so that they can plan for their future needs—and that it would not be unreasonable, when estates and new areas are being put in—for instance, Molonglo—which will have areas that border rural areas, for planning to be done to ensure that those that enjoy riding horses get a fair go.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Planning and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation) (12.52 am): This budget makes sure that our planning system can support local jobs. Good planning brings together the communal, economic and environmental needs of our society. This is a budget for these difficult economic times, a budget that supports the community and a budget that supports jobs. That is why it invests in a range of practical measures to support our planning system, like more inspectors and quicker completion of certificates. It is all about further enhancing our simpler, faster and more effective planning system.
That is why the budget invests in infrastructure in our suburbs, major investments in roads in Gungahlin and major investments in developing the Molonglo Valley. It is about building a better city and supporting the community. Highlights of the budget in
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