Page 471 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 18 February 2015

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As has been outlined, the government’s urban renewal captures other core policies and services, but housing is a key component of this. Public housing is both a beneficiary of and a contributor to the modern urban environment of our city now and into the future. Quality public housing is vital to the government’s agenda on urban renewal.

I thank Minister Rattenbury for his support outlining renewal and growth and how, done well, it will improve community, economic and environmental outcomes. I thank Dr Bourke for talking about urban renewal in his electorate and the rich history of Ginninderra and the people in Belconnen.

My Labor colleagues and I, and Minister Rattenbury, have spoken about why we need urban renewal and what it delivers in the built form, as well as policy outcomes for our community and our economy. They have spoken about the future and all its possibilities—what it looks like and what role government, community and the private sector can contribute to this in terms of the conversation and deliberations about our future but also investment. They have spoken about the opportunities and challenges facing our city and our community.

As this motion outlines, I also want this place to be thinking about our future—its opportunities and challenges and how we get there. It may, as noted, mean a paradigm shift in our own and our community’s thinking. This is hard work, but it is worth while, and it is what the community expect of us. It is not about saying just what we will not do. I know that is in part the opposition’s role. I look forward to their solutions to reducing, for example, congestion on the Gungahlin to Civic route. I look forward to debating the cost of their solutions, and I particularly look forward to talking to the residents of Gungahlin about these clear choices.

It will not always be easy; it will not always be straightforward. That is what good public policy and good public decision making are about. As colleagues have noted, we must keep, above all, people and our community at the forefront. We have a special privilege and responsibility to them, especially to think about and plan for our future. Urban renewal is vital to this future.

Question put:

That the motion be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

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