Page 1497 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 14 May 2014
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Not only did the government not consult on its project facilitation bill, but it also did not consult with the industry about significant changes to the development application process. Last week the government tried to increase the requirements for developers, including families who are doing renovations, to submit variations to development applications as part of an omnibus bill which should only have included minor and technical changes. The MBA and HIA had no idea that the government was trying to make these huge changes without letting them know.
When they did find out, they were disappointed that the government would try to make these changes without consulting stakeholders. The government, I understand, has now decided to withdraw part of the bill in response to the industry’s concerns. I hope that is the case. It is disappointing that the government has had to be pressured to do the right thing in the planning portfolio rather than choosing to do what is best for the territory. This government talks about stimulating the economy and encouraging development but in actual fact it is increasing red tape and penalising the people who want to do the right thing. This government is centralising power with Simon Corbell at the expense of the community.
The government is determined to build light rail it seems. However, despite the huge amounts of money it is pouring into the project, the government is unable to provide extensive details about the project. It does not even know how much it is going to cost or how much it is going to cost to run. The government has not even looked into which route should be built first. It simply went ahead and said, “Gungahlin to the city.” Only now is the government doing a master plan. Now it says that the staging of the network is important, yet before it chose the first route without any consideration for the staging.
How is it possible? In what planning system in the world, what public transport system in the world, is there no consideration for the staging of a $600 million leg? It seems absolutely crazy that the government would be so flippant with taxpayers’ money when it comes to this $614 million project, and escalating. How can people trust this government on planning when it is determined to proceed with the project whatever the cost?
There is no doubt that the territory plan is a complicated document. It is too complicated. The territory plan is supposed to guide development in the ACT so that people are provided with an attractive, safe and efficient environment in which to live, work and have their recreation. This is a noble aim. However, the size and complexity of the territory plan means that it is extremely difficult to navigate or to understand. The territory plan has become so complicated that it is, in effect, incomprehensible. It is nearly impossible to ensure compliance with its requirements.
Stakeholders have become frustrated and development is being stifled. Power has been shifted from the community to the minister and to bureaucrats. It seems that if ACTPLA want to, they can stop any project of their choosing. The regulations, the code, the territory plan are so precise, so detailed, so difficult to comprehend that it is near impossible to comply with everything. Therefore, the power is such that if the government wants to make it difficult for any proponent, then it can do so.
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