Page 736 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 8 April 2014

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This is necessary to ensure that the use of legislation providing for heritage nomination is not utilised as a mechanism to express opposition to a development proposal. We know now that often heritage nominations are only made when there is a contentious proposal that some people disagree with, regardless of the heritage value of the nomination. These issues need to be taken into account when we consider large-scale redevelopment proposals. These measures in total mean that the specified development within the priority area is not held up permanently or for long periods under these acts and is consistent with a priority declaration process.

This bill is an important bill. There are a number of important projects that the government wishes to see progressed for the broader benefit of the community. My colleagues have spoken in particular about the new secure mental health facility. This Assembly and this opposition are on the record as stating the importance of the project and the need for work on the project to be expedited, taking all necessary means to ensure its delivery.

It will not be the last priority project that will have other significant benefits for our community. It will not be the last project where the benefit of the great majority needs to be properly taken into account in an assessment and planning process. This legislation sets out a clear and specific framework for addressing those issues. It is better than project-specific declarations, because project-specific declarations cannot apply an impartial, consistent framework to decision making that this bill can. It is more effective, it is more consistent, and it allows for an established and agreed process that, at the end of the day, puts the onus on all the people in this place to have their say, to speak on behalf of their communities and to decide whether or not specific projects should be given the priority that is provided for in this bill.

That is a transparent process. That is an accountable process. That is a process through which members in this place can ultimately be held accountable. It does not hide it away. It does not leave it in the rooms and offices of ministers or bureaucrats. It puts it on the floor of this Assembly for the government of the day to justify the decisions it is asking the Assembly to endorse. That is an open and transparent mechanism and one that should be applied when we are dealing with projects of this importance. I commend the bill to the Assembly.

Question put:

That the bill be agreed to in principle.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

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