Page 1045 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 19 March 2013
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MR HANSON: Minister, why did you not implement this proposal when it was first put forward by Mr Seselja as part of the supermarket inquiry last year?
MR CORBELL: The government made clear at the time that it was reviewing the operation of the commercial zones in the territory plan overall and that we wanted to hear the feedback through the community from that process. What has been very clear is that there is support for this through that consultation exercise, and that is why the government made the commitment before the last election to implement this territory plan if we were re-elected. I am very pleased to implement the commitment we made before the last election, and I know it is a commitment that will be widely welcomed by those in the supermarket sector, particularly the small independent operators right across Canberra.
MADAM ACTING SPEAKER: Supplementary, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, what opportunities will the public have to comment on this draft variation?
MR CORBELL: Thank you, Dr Bourke, for your supplementary. With the release of the draft variation, the proposed changes are now on public notification for six weeks—that is, 30 working days. The part of the draft variation relating to changes to floor area limits in commercial zones does have interim effect from the date of the consultation notice, the date of release for public comment. The interim effect means that the proposed provisions must be applied in the determination of any relevant development application. This does not apply to development applications lodged before the date of public release, as is standard practice.
The draft variation is itself based on extensive consultation through the commercial zones review discussion paper and the 2012 Legislative Assembly Select Committee on ACT Supermarket Competition Policy. All development applications will, of course, be subject to the normal notification processes. This will provide the relevant local community with the opportunity to comment on proposed development in their local centre.
At the end of the consultation process, ACTPLA will provide me with a written report on the consultation and submissions. On receipt of the documents, I have the option of approving the draft plan variation, returning it to the authority with written directions or referring it to a relevant committee of the Assembly.
Ms Gallagher: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answers to question without notice
Schools—Duffy Primary School
MS BURCH: I wish to provide additional information to an answer I gave at a previous sitting, the day of 28 February. In question time Mr Smyth asked me about the procurement process for the construction of a modular relocatable building at Duffy Primary School. I did try and come down for the adjournment debate of the last
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