Page 1660 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 3 June 2014
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MS GALLAGHER: Yes, and I am talking about the importance of the project, Mr Coe, that is linked to this bill. This bill will allow—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Coe!
MS GALLAGHER: This bill will allow the delivery of this important project. I think it is important that we discuss all of the reasons behind how we got here today, why it is important and why the Assembly, prior to today, had a unanimous view that Symonston was the right site and that this—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Coe, next time you interrupt I am going to warn you.
MS GALLAGHER: project should be fast-tracked in order to provide certainty and deliver the project by 2016, which is the current timetable. Those reviews have been conducted. I am very confident that we are building the right size facility with the right level of security within a budget that is affordable and that will deliver the best outcomes for the individuals that need to spend time there—for some, a considerable length of time.
This bill will give certainty to the project. There is no doubt, when you look at secure mental health units that have been built in other parts of Australia and indeed the world, that they do raise concerns from local community members around the location of the facility. I believe we can address all of those concerns through the appropriate planning and consultation procedures, and in the design of the building, which is well underway.
ACT Health have been working very hard on delivering this building, whilst the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate has been undertaking the work that needs to be done in the planning sphere. The model of care has been released. A community consultation program on the preliminary sketch plans commenced on 14 May this year, with a public information session held last week, which I understand was reasonably well attended. Advertisements to inform the broader community about the PSP consultation and information sessions have appeared. They have been booked to appear in the Chronicle, the CityNews and the ACT government noticeboard in the Canberra Times. Immediate neighbours have been contacted to arrange meetings with the project architects, should people wish to do so, regarding potential impacts of the design on their properties, and a face-to-face meeting between Health representatives, the principal design consultant and neighbours was held on 8 May this year.
So there is a lot of work that has been undertaken. I have certainly give instructions to the Health staff working on this project that they are to consult and speak with neighbours consistently and continuously through the development of the secure mental health unit. This bill will allow that certainty to be provided, and I commend the bill to the Assembly.
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