Page 4055 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 16 Sept 2009
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Giralang residents, was that it did not allow for enough retail. It was predominantly a residential redevelopment that would have seen three shops, and three very small shops.
As I said, it is unfortunate that in the first instance the developer went for such a small retail component and then, in response to a rejection of that, went for what everyone, or nearly everyone, has observed to be perhaps a ridiculously large proposal for a major Woolworths in a local group centre. That was the subject of considerable community concern. I recognise that there are arguments on both sides, but I do not think the Greens could argue that there were not people opposed to that particular development.
We are now sitting down with the developer and seeking to find a middle ground that will see this issue resolved once and for all.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Burch, a supplementary question?
MS BURCH: A supplementary on planning and shopping precincts: could the minister tell the Assembly of his approach in ensuring that there are shopping precincts of a broad diversity which are relevant and which meet local needs?
MR BARR: I think Ms Burch has raised an important point.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR BARR: It is good to see that Ms Burch, through her incisive questioning, is able to elicit such a response from those opposite. I do, indeed, thank her for coming forth with such a question. But, seriously, Mr Speaker, it is worth noting that we do have a retail hierarchy within the ACT. In the context of local, group and town centres, we have a well-established hierarchy. There is a degree of flexibility, though, within that hierarchy, recognising the different levels of retail development over the nearly 100 years of development of our city.
Ms Burch is correct to identify the need to have appropriate local facilities, appropriate group centre level facilities and also larger retail facilities in town centres. In the context of this particular issue around Giralang, the reason that the Planning and Land Authority has taken the position it has is to ensure that a viable local centre is re-established in Giralang, and that means getting the balance right. Unfortunately, neither of the development applications that have been lodged to date has achieved that balance.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Hunter, a supplementary question?
MS HUNTER: A supplementary, thank you. What is the minister doing about other suburbs in Belconnen which currently do not have local supermarkets operating at them, such as McKellar, and will you work to enforce lease conditions in these other suburban shops?
MR BARR: Yes, the Planning and Land Authority, as is its statutory authority, applies the law in these instances. Of course, we need to recognise that there are
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