Page 1616 - Week 04 - Thursday, 25 March 2010
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(1) What communication did the Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) have with ACT Planning and Land Authority regarding the Kingston master planning process; particularly regarding feedback gained through the master planning process on Green Square.
(2) Was any feedback on Green Square, gathered through the master plan process, provided to TAMS; if so, when did this occur.
(3) What consultation was undertaken by TAMS on Green Square, including the issue of redeveloping it, or keeping the grass, and what dates did this occur.
(4) Were residents informed as part of the master planning consultation process that Green Square would not have lawn and that this decision had already been made.
Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) was represented on the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA) Working Group for the Kingston Centre Master Planning Project and received relevant meeting minutes and information as the project progressed. A briefing on the proposed Green Square upgrade works was provided to the working group at Meeting 1 in August 2009. Communications continued between ACTPLA and TAMS as the project progressed. Consultation for the Green Square upgrade work was completed prior to consultation for the Kingston Centre master planning project and so was not an issue for consultation during these sessions.
(2) Feedback received from the Kingston Centre master planning project consultation sessions was provided at the Working Group Meetings and recorded in meeting minutes.
As part of its Kingston master planning processes, ACTPLA established a technical working group consisting of representatives across the ACT Government agencies, including the Chief Minister's Department and TAMS. At these meetings - held on 6 August, 15 September, 4 November and 14 December 2009 - all of the issues, including feedback from public consultation, were discussed. Included in this was the desire for green grass from some parts of the community.
(3) The Landscape Plan for the upgrade works, together with an information flyer, was distributed to traders fronting Green Square in August 2008. Positive feedback was received from many traders. Additional feedback was later received from some traders and members of the public expressing a desire to retain grass. Subsequently TAMS staff met with traders on 1 September 2008 and a further on-site consultation session was held on 23 October 2008, where information about the non-sustainable nature of grass in Green Square was presented.
Due to continued feedback from some traders and residents that they wanted to retain grass a potential partnership option was developed and in May 2009. Current lease holders and business owners whose businesses front onto Green Square where presented with the offer by letter. This invited leaseholders to directly fund a level of service, including the retention of grassed areas, above the standard level which the Territory would normally provide. Only a minimal number of responses were received and there was clearly inadequate support for a trader/leaseholder funding contribution.
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