Page 169 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 December 2016
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I foreshadowed those changes there. They were reported on in the Canberra Times on 13 September. It might have even been the front page headline at that time.
So many, many weeks in advance, I foreshadowed changes. That is, again, noted in my amendment. As the Leader of the Opposition indicated in his remarks, the government business program tomorrow includes a statement from me regarding plans for the LDA’s functions in the future and the new urban renewal authority.
As I have said publicly since the election, changes will come into effect from the beginning of the new fiscal year in 2017 in relation to both the new urban renewal agency and changes to the LDA. Necessary legislation is being prepared and will be debated by this place prior to the commencement of the new financial year. I will obviously outline more tomorrow in relation to those matters.
I return to the McPhee report, which is available on the LDA website. It reflects an examination of internal business processes and it assessed all aspects of the LDA’s operations. The LDA board has also commissioned a separate and comprehensive process review. It has considered the recommendations of all three and has put in place through its governance and business process implementation program over 30 actions spanning all aspects of the agency’s operations, including procurement practices, valuation, record keeping practices, risk management, reviewing and establishing policies and processes, and a review of the land acquisition framework.
I am advised that the actions have been prioritised by the board with 10 high priority actions to be completed by the middle of 2017. These particularly focus on improving the land acquisition processes; improving valuations policy and procedures; developing policy and procedures for employment arrangements for former staff; enhancing protocols and practices around obtaining legal advice; clarifying delegations under relevant acts; and, importantly, communicating expectations around staff responsibilities and obligations.
Prior to the election I did indicate the government’s intention to replace the Land Development Agency with two specialist dedicated entities. One will focus on leading and facilitating the critical transformation of the CBD and the Northbourne corridor. The other will be focused on the equally important task of developing new suburbs to continue to meet demand for housing in our city. This is a deliberate decision; it is founded on a statement of ambition for our city that I released in March of this year to put us on the right footing for the CBD renewal that we aspire to and a continued focus on suburban estate development.
The time is right now for the government to move to a new phase of project facilitation around the Northbourne corridor and Civic. Undoubtedly the election resolved conclusively the question of light rail in this city. The delivery agency is necessary to ensure that both the Northbourne corridor and CBD renewal are achieved within the government’s time frames and with outcomes that reflect high quality urban design and sustainability. This is a key responsibility of the new agency.
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