Page 5280 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 15 November 2011
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We will replace those properties not necessarily with like properties, because I think the whole notion of redeveloping Northbourne Avenue would be that we do not replace concentrated disadvantage. We have learnt from that and we are looking to alternative mixed tenancies.
MS HUNTER: Supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Hunter.
MS HUNTER: Minister, has the government calculated the estimated financial loss or gain if it were to retain the full number of public housing dwellings in the redevelopment? If yes, what were those estimated costs?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Hunter for her question. Some of that answer I have referred to in the answer to an earlier question. It is more important to think about what are the housing options that we will provide the tenants in social housing. To think that we would replicate what is currently there and that that is the best that we can do for social housing is wrong. There are a number of people in Northbourne flats who would welcome the opportunity to live in the glorious surrounds of Tuggeranong Valley.
Emergency Services Agency—headquarters
MR SMYTH: My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Minister, in July 2007 your department compiled an analysis of the 11 critical requirements for the preferred location for the new ESA headquarters. The requirements included emergency response times, access to existing stations, response from crews in training, deployment of specialist vehicles and equipment, as well as collocating command personnel. Minister, the analysis concluded with each of these factors: the Fairbairn option was rated as poor, and against each of these requirements the Fyshwick option was rated as good. Minister, why did the government take the poor option?
MR CORBELL: I have previously answered this question. The answer is the same as the one I have provided previously, which is that the government was in a contractual commitment with Fairbairn and it would have been too expensive to the taxpayer to relocate from Fairbairn. It made sense to renegotiate the contract with the Canberra airport at Fairbairn to deliver an effective outcome. That is what we have done. In addition, we have taken other steps to ensure that there has been no compromising of response times in relation to a range of ambulance and fire brigade functions. Those changes have been funded in a budget about four years ago.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, a supplementary.
MR SMYTH: Minister, why did the government not take the good option, as outlined in our requirements analysis?
MR CORBELL: I have just answered the question.
MR HANSON: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
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