Page 317 - Week 01 - Thursday, 27 February 2014
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As the government continues to implement a long-term strategy of economic reform, we should all note the resilience our economy has shown during recent months of uncertainty. The government’s strategy for growth and diversification, combined with a strong budget position and a fiscal strategy which supports rather than undermines local jobs, has helped maintain growth and kept unemployment at the lowest rate in Australia. Upcoming legislation will continue to support growth and development in the ACT through measures to simplify commercial leasing and lease variation arrangements.
Specifically, the government will propose amendments to the Planning and Development Act 2007. The Planning and Development (Project Facilitation) Amendment Bill 2014 will provide for efficiencies in the territory plan variation and development assessment processes.
The amendments seek to: allow the territory executive to declare a special precinct area through disallowable instrument; allow the territory executive to make a declaration on a proposed key project of major public importance by disallowable instrument; allow a development proponent to lodge a development application that applies a draft territory plan variation; allow an impact track development application to be lodged concurrently with an environmental impact statement; and allow a development proponent to apply for a development approval in situations where a proposed development is lodged primarily within one zone under the territory plan but has a small encroachment into another zone where the development is currently prohibited.
The amendments will bring new efficiency and responsiveness to the planning system and, in turn, greater certainty and confidence for business to identify and act on development opportunities. Importantly, the amendments will also create opportunities for the private sector to collaborate with the government on projects of major public importance.
These changes will be part of a measured, strategic, consultative suite of measures which the government is considering to provide economic stimulus. They will be complemented by the Duties (Commercial Leases) Amendment Bill 2014, which will create more effective and transparent commercial lease provisions and give business greater clarity on commercial lease duty. The bill will amend long-term lease provisions for leases exceeding 30 years to make sure anti-avoidance measures are not a burden for legitimate long-term leases, which have been unintentionally captured by these measures in the past.
Within government, we are also targeting new efficiencies to deliver effective and transparent government and direct resources to the areas of greatest need. The Red Tape Reduction Omnibus Bill 2014 will make a number of legislative amendments to remove unnecessary burdens on business in the ACT. The government is continuing to improve the business environment through red tape reduction, building on reforms already underway.
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