Page 1044 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 19 March 2013
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MS BERRY: Minister, what are the benefits to the community from this draft variation?
MR CORBELL: Madam Acting Speaker—
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM ACTING SPEAKER: Members, you will remain silent while the minister is on his feet.
MR CORBELL: There is twofold intent to introducing the changes to floor area limits in commercial zones which will benefit local and group centres, their retailers and the customers who use them. By allowing the development of small to medium size shops—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM ACTING SPEAKER: Mr Hanson!
MR CORBELL: including supermarkets instead of limiting shops to very small corner store sizes, this removes barriers to competition and ultimately gives the community and consumers more choice when they go and do their shopping.
Secondly, the changes will ensure that commercial development in local centres is consistent with the role of these centres in the commercial centre hierarchy. As a general principle, development in local centres should not threaten the viability of nearby centres, including group centres. This will be accomplished by limiting the floor area of all shops, including supermarkets, in local centres.
These changes have come about following community feedback on a commercial zones policy review discussion paper which flagged a number of policy changes, including the floor area provisions. The proposal to put a limit on retail floor space in local centres was strongly supported in that review. By restricting the retail floor space to 1,000 square metres in local centres, the government is reinforcing the important role that local centres play in providing convenience retailing to their local communities.
As well as benefits to consumers and users of local centres, business owners also benefit. The variation protects the interests of smaller independent supermarkets in the ACT supermarket retail industry. Canberrans want to support local businesses that are close to their homes and provide them with the convenience that that offers. This variation provides clarity and certainty to local operators and will support vibrant and viable local centres.
MR HANSON: Supplementary.
MADAM ACTING SPEAKER: Supplementary, Mr Hanson.
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