Page 3455 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 22 October 2014
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MS BERRY: Minister, could you update the Assembly on any upcoming shopping centre upgrades?
MR RATTENBURY: Certainly, and I thank Ms Berry for the question. There are a range of ongoing shopping centre upgrades. As members would be aware, there has been a long-term program to move through the suburbs dealing with shopping centre upgrades.
Certainly at Chapman shops there is a $1.2 million project that will upgrade the public assets at the shopping centre to current standards. That will do things such as, after an extensive consultation process with the community, lead to improved lighting, improved landscaping, and particularly parking arrangements for disability access, where the centre will be upgraded to meet modern standards. With Chapman, for example, the intent is to provide an overall better public domain.
There are a range of other shopping centres that are being upgraded. We have recently seen the completion of works at Red Hill and Waramanga, for example. And in Ms Berry’s electorate, the forward design for Cook shops, for example, is completed—as for Evatt and Florey as well as a range of other suburbs where the consultation on those designs has been progressed.
Sublime Constructions
MRS JONES: My question is to the Minister for Planning. Minister, the Canberra Times reported on 18 October that at least six former clients of Sublime Constructions have been refused coverage under their home warranty insurance policies because the entity that built their homes was not the same entity that took out the cover. The Canberra Times also reported that Sublime Constructions and Development has been removed from the government’s list of licensed builders but that two associated companies and the company’s nominated builder remain on the list.
Minister, you are reported in the Canberra Times as saying that it is not the responsibility of private certifiers or the Constructions Occupations Registrar to verify information provided to them for the issuing of commencement certificates and certificates of occupancy, which are accepted as proof that valid warranty insurance is in place. Minister, do you stand by the Canberra Times reporting of your view?
MR GENTLEMAN: Yes. I think it is important to understand the directorate’s role in these matters. We as a government are making sure that the appropriate plans and documentation are in place. But, when it comes to activities that are not perhaps lawful, it is not our position to act as a policeman in that case. I understand the matter is looking towards the courts so I will not comment on it any further.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: Minister, how can it be considered best practice for the certifier and the registrar to issue a commencement notice without checking the documentation?
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