Page 1454 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 10 April 2013
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can advise Mr Doszpot that currently the exempt development provisions in the Planning and Development Regulation permit alterations and demolition of single dwellings. As the regulation stands, there are no exceptions for dwellings that have a common wall, such as duplexes. However, I can advise Mr Doszpot that, at my request, an amendment to the regulation is being prepared to restrict dwellings with common walls to no longer be exempt from significant development works.
Planning—Canberra
Debate resumed.
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra) (3.43): We have spoken today of ensuring that there is an integrated, imaginative and clear blueprint for our city. I recently had the opportunity, as a member of the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Planning, Environment and Territory and Municipal Services, to attend the Planning Institute of Australia annual conference here in Canberra. As you would appreciate, Mr Assistant Speaker, it was a great opportunity for planners to experience the planned city of Canberra in our centenary year. However, it was also a chance for we Canberrans to reflect on the city’s design and how we can take our city into the future. Minister Corbell outlined the vision for light rail and solar farms, which was well received at the conference.
I was also interested in talks about community engagement, in particular the international increase in single-person households, community engagement, food-centred regeneration of urban areas and the demographic forecasts for the larger Canberra region and the implications for our planning. I think I can say that all members of the standing committee were inspired by what they saw and heard at the conference.
I particularly want to focus today on the integrated, imaginative evolution of Belconnen as a major centre of health, education and jobs. Its importance is growing, with major new developments, and it will grow as our city and region expands.
I spoke recently about how east Belconnen around the suburb of Bruce is becoming a major centre of the knowledge capital, tying together a great diverse hub of learning, training, health and high-tech institutions. We have there the University of Canberra, the specialist high-tech CIT Bruce campus, the Calvary hospital, the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
The University of Canberra public hospital is a major commitment by this government to enhance the partnership between the tertiary sector and the Health Directorate. The new hospital shows the strong, collaborative approach between the government and the university to its planning, design and function. This hospital will be a centre of excellence for rehabilitation and aged care and will include a clinical training and research base. Students of the university—students in nursing, occupational therapy and pharmacy, amongst others—will be able to experience clinical training in greater numbers and for extended periods, simply because of this co-location of the hospital within the university. It is a significant addition to Canberra and Belconnen in particular, creating local employment and educational
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