Page 5611 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 17 November 2010
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This is not to say that unanimity is always reached on what planning rules apply. And as everyone in this place knows, there are very strong views on planning policies in the ACT and many people take a close interest in planning. The job of the planning minister is to incorporate and accommodate these views, where possible, whilst also seeking to meet a range of competing and sometimes conflicting priorities. These, in turn, are based on what the ACT community demands of a representative government.
It is a difficult task at times but one I do not shy away from. Since 2008-09, the government, through the Planning and Land Authority, has worked closely with communities in Gungahlin, Dickson and Kingston to prepare master plans for these town and group centres. In each case open and clear dialogue has enabled the preparation of high-quality, robust master plans.
Only recently the Planning and Land Authority completed the final stages of community consultation on the draft Dickson and Kingston master plans. This final round of consultation will inform final consideration by government and ensure that we have captured the hopes and aspirations of these communities. They will also assist us in framing the best way to deliver the outcomes in coming years.
Similarly, the draft Gungahlin master plan and an associated draft territory plan variation will be released by government in coming months. The government continues to show leadership in conducting a robust and manageable approach to the review and master planning of centres in Canberra. And in each case the government and the ACT Planning and Land Authority are responding to a diverse range of issues and challenges associated with each particular centre. Members will recall that the government has continued this commitment through the budget in this financial year.
As we laid out in the budget, community workshops on the master plans for the Tuggeranong town centre and the Erindale group centre will be conducted this financial year. Ms Burch opened the first of these community workshops this weekend just past. To promote this workshop, ACTPLA advised the local area by distributing 10,000 newsletters and advertising in both newspapers and on the radio. I understand that the workshop was well attended.
The government has also committed to the preparation of a master plan for Pialligo and work will commence on this in the new year. ACTPLA is carefully scoping this work to ensure that proper and just consideration is given to the complex range of issues that the master plan will need to consider. The issues being examined will include the capacity of local infrastructure, the character of this hamlet and in particular heritage elements that need to be enhanced. I can assure colleagues that the master planning process being undertaken by ACTPLA will continue the commitment to develop a shared vision through open dialogue with the local community.
In 2011-12, the government will also undertake master plans for the outlying townships of Hall, Tharwa and Oaks Estate. I look forward to the community discussion on those master plans when the time comes. I encourage colleagues, of course, to be involved as well.
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