Page 3032 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 23 September 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, what engagement with stakeholders in the community is underway or planned on both the EIS and the territory plan variation?
MR GENTLEMAN: DV327 was prepared in consultation with government agencies. Public consultation started on 29 August this year and it will conclude on 15 October. Advertisements were placed in the Canberra Times on 29 August and 6 September, and details of the draft variation have also been made available to the public via the Environment and Planning Directorate’s website, social media such as Twitter and Facebook, and the ACT government time to talk website.
In addition to this, letters have been sent to the neighbours of the blocks subject to the variation to inform them that the draft variation is being publicly notified. A hard copy of the draft variation and its planning report are available for view by the public in EPD’s shopfront. Once it is submitted, the Planning and Land Authority is required to make the draft EIS available for public examination and comment for 20 working days.
The draft EIS will be available on the EPD website and the ACT government’s time to talk website, as well as advertisements being placed in the Canberra Times in that period. The proponent is required to address any submissions made on the draft EIS and submit a revised EIS for consideration. The proponent may choose to undertake additional community engagement during the preparation of the draft EIS.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: Minister, what future planning work will need to be undertaken to ensure the government is able to meet its commitment to build a light rail network across the city?
MR GENTLEMAN: Once a draft variation has been approved and the EIS has been completed, development applications can be lodged for proposed light rail developments. Construction can then commence only after relevant development applications have been approved. Future stages of capital metro beyond the Gungahlin to city component may require separate EISs. This is due to the potential for site-specific impacts that differ from stage 1.
A light rail master plan is being developed by the EPD in collaboration with capital metro and other ACT directorates. The master plan will set out the ACT government’s vision for the public transport network based on rapid transit corridors identified in transport for Canberra and will investigate options for light rail routes across Canberra. The network will be designed to work with an integrated bus system to deliver the overall future public transport service requirements identified in transport for Canberra.
The master plan will be an integrated land use and transport plan and will aim to link residential development with areas of employment, retail and entertainment through
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video