Page 1495 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 4 May 2016
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MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, why were these blocks separated in the first place?
MR RATTENBURY: As I indicated in my earlier answer, I was not involved in that process so I am not able to answer Mr Doszpot’s question as to why that was done.
Planning—proposed new suburb of Thompson
MS LAWDER: My question is to the Minister for Planning and Land Management. At the Tuggeranong Community Council meeting on 5 April 2016 you spoke about the proposed number of dwellings in Thompson, a proposed new suburb in Tuggeranong. You talked about the size of Thompson compared to Crace and the number of dwellings for Thompson compared to Crace indicated a significant level of density expected for Thompson. I have been told that other directorate officials were in the dark about the announcement of the new suburb of Thompson.
Minister, what discussions did your office and your directorate have with the Environment and Planning Directorate about the environmental impacts of a new suburb of Thompson, including on the threatened scarlet robin, before you announced that new suburb?
MR GENTLEMAN: I should say that, at first blush, of course, the idea for a suburb west of Greenway will involve a discussion with the constituents of Tuggeranong and the rest of Canberra on whether such a suburb should go ahead. In advance of that, there were studies done with LDA across directorates to look at the opportunity for residential development at the site which is known as Thompson and whether or not there is an opportunity. LDA came back and advised that, indeed, there was an opportunity to do some residential development there. In regard to the environmental impacts of Thompson, of course, as I said on the night at TCC, it is very much a matter that we need to look at the environmental impact statements, the environmental studies for the area.
In regard to the scarlet robin, my understanding is—and this is from information provided by the Canberra Ornithologists Group on their website—the scarlet robin is actually in place all over the ACT. It is strongest in its appearances in the western part and the southern part of the ACT. Indeed, the maps of COG show there does not appear to be any breeding evidence of the scarlet robin around that Murrumbidgee corridor or any other proposed residential area.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Minister, what discussions did your directorate or office have with the transport and municipal services directorate and the sport and recreation directorate about the impacts of the new suburb of Thompson on the community, including local sporting clubs, before you announced the new suburb?
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