Page 629 - Week 02 - Thursday, 18 February 2016
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
It was only a couple of years ago that the Cook shops were full of vacant shopfronts and empty car parking spaces. This is a great example of the government working with the business community to reinvigorate and support local shops. In particular, I congratulate all of those at the local shops and throughout the TAMS Directorate for being able to adapt the program to meet the ever-changing needs of our local community, for example in Cook.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: Minister, is this the third time that the Rivett upgrade has been announced? Has there been any change on the empty shop that is a blight for that community? When will Fisher get its upgrade?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Mrs Jones for the supplementary question. My understanding is that the announcement last week was on the shopping centre upgrades getting underway. So it may have been announced over a period of time. Indeed, with our consultation we often announce that the design phase has started. We announce that consultation is going ahead. We seek input from the community on that consultation. Then we may also make announcements about that consultation being finalised. Last week it was around announcing that the upgrade was actually going ahead.
In regard to a vacant shop, that would be, in my understanding, a matter for the local owner of that shop, whether it be the landlord—
Mrs Jones: Fifteen years; fifteen years empty.
MS FITZHARRIS: Shops stay vacant. They are owned by private operators. The government has no ability to rent out a private space on behalf of a private owner.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Burch.
MS BURCH: Can the minister outline the importance of government investment in local shopping centres, particularly in regard to upgrades to shopping centres that have recently been completed or planned for?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Ms Burch for the supplementary. As Ms Burch mentioned, it is important that the government continues to invest in local shopping centres and we are committed to continuing our investment and renewing our suburbs. Of course, we all know that Canberra is the world’s most livable city, but to keep it this way we are continuing to invest in our suburbs and local shopping centres. The ACT government manages and maintains the public spaces at 89 local shopping centres and these are close to the hearts of many Canberrans.
With this in mind the government has two imperatives when it comes to investing in our local shops. First, we look to invest in those centres that are in need of renewal, where economic activity may need a boost. Equally important is the need to invest in the popular and economically more active centres to support the current level of activity and success.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video