Page 1668 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 7 May 2013
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or with an at-risk tenancy. The YWCA of Canberra is committed to supporting women’s leadership in the ACT. The YWCA of Canberra has designed programs to encourage Canberra women to become more involved with leadership. These include the she leads, she speaks and the women out front leadership programs. With over 80 years of service, the YWCA of Canberra has greatly supported the Canberra community. It is important to recognise and commend this outstanding service that the YWCA of Canberra provides.
Planning—draft variation 315
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (4.50): On 21 March this year the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development tabled the approval of variation 315 to the territory plan relating to the new emergency services facility in Aranda.
In his tabling statement the minister noted that 14 submissions were made during the public consultation process. A range of concerns were raised, including site selection and public consultation. Despite the many criticisms and concerns raised, the government was unmoved and has gone ahead with its proposal to build an emergency services facility in Aranda.
One constituent of mine, Mr Temple of Macquarie, has written to me enclosing information about his concerns—concerns that he raised with the team that was reviewing the draft variation to the territory plan. He feels as though he has not been heard. At his request, I am rectifying that tonight. In his email Mr Temple says:
Thank you for the surprise news! When was the last time your team rejected/refused an ACT Government DV application?
I note that DV315 has not changed after your team’s extensive examination of public submissions. Consideration has not even been given to minimising the potential risk to the public (especially our younger more vulnerable members) by either the construction of an underpass or a foot/bicycle bridge linking both sides of Bindubi Street—a suggestion supported by Mary Porter MLA who promised and agreed to advocate for its construction (Aranda meeting, 9 August 2012).
Surely having ESDD as the INDEPENDENT jury, judge and arbitrator for Minister Corbell’s multiple ministries is akin to having one’s own relatives on a judgement panel. There must be suggestions of conflicts of interest and there certainly must be suggestions of “tap, tap, nod, nod, wink, wink” collaboration happening!
Anyway, so be it. Congratulations to the Gallagher/Corbell/Bourke/Porter/ Rattenbury ACT Government on selecting a ‘low choice’ and cheap ESA relocation site. ACT will soon be a proud pioneer, an Australian leader and a prime example to other States and Territories. This will not only be the first Emergency Services Facility—in the whole of Australia—to be built within a “school zone” but will also be the only one within approx. 100m of the main front entrance of a large school (in this case, a 900+ pupil, very busy Public High School).
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