Page 1051 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
merits of each case. It removes the specified structure for calculating a fee reduction, allowing for a more tailored approach. This is a positive move as it allows the territory to look at the entirety of the specific circumstances which have led to a delay rather than having a one-size-fits-all approach.
It also provides for a lessee to apply for a waiver when works are delayed due to external reasons, such as infrastructure and essential services not being ready or delays in obtaining statutory approvals, as long as those delays are not caused by the lessee or a decision to refuse an approval.
The changes apply from the period June 2012 to 31 March 2014, which means that any debt accrued during this period will be waived or refunded. This means that those who have and those who have not paid their fees are both treated equally under the reforms.
Under the new scheme, lessees will be provided with an indefinite extension and will no longer need to nominate an anticipated completion date, which can be difficult to do. So this is a welcome move. The changes do, however, allow the territory to instate a set completion date under certain circumstances which gives the flexibility to deal with cases of extended delays, which is what the scheme was set up to deal with in the first instance. Under the new scheme, the fees are reduced and simplified, but there is still a disincentive for developers to delay completion of projects, and the fees that ensue are more appropriate, being commensurate with the annual rates charge.
It appears that the announcement of these changes has already had a positive effect. I understand that fee waivers obtained through the new scheme have allowed the development of Kings pool at Calwell to move forward and that on-ground work has just commenced. This is a good outcome for the Tuggeranong region and Calwell specifically, bringing new activity to the nearby local shops.
Of course, in October last year the Assembly debated a motion on the waiving of extension of time fees for Kings pool, which I amended to call for a review of the scheme. I am glad to see that the government has listened to the concerns that have been brought forward by the industry and through specific cases and has made adjustments to make the scheme more workable. Various comments were made at the time of that debate, but I think what we have seen here is that the approach of actually looking at the scheme as a whole and looking at the underlying issues is a preferable one to simply taking a one-off position. I will be supporting the bill today.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Minister for Tourism and Events and Minister for Community Services) (11.13), in reply: I thank Mr Rattenbury and Mr Smyth for their contribution to the debate.
The Planning and Development (Extension of Time) Amendment Bill will amend the 2007 Planning and Development Act and the 2008 Planning and Development Regulation. The bill is important as it enacts the government’s announcements regarding changes to the extension of time system announced by the Chief Minister as part of the government’s stimulus package in March of this year. This bill implements
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video