Page 1490 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 9 May 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Section 35 of the bill provides the criteria that must be met before declaring a new urban renewal precinct. When this bill was presented to the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister released an indicative map identifying the first potential urban renewal precinct, focusing on the gateway to our city from where Flemington Road meets the Federal Highway, along the Northbourne Avenue corridor and in the CBD and West Basin, to realise the government’s city to the lake project.
It will be within these declared precincts that the CRA will exercise its functions: urban renewal, buying and selling land, making arrangements for the carrying out of development, supporting investment, participation and cooperation in urban renewal, and supporting high quality design, planning and delivery of urban renewal.
Most Canberrans live, work and play outside the city centre. We know that they love and are committed to protecting and enhancing their local communities. I know this because it is certainly how I feel about my own local community, and I hear it from others around me all the time. The government’s priorities are to ensure that the suburbs and areas outside urban renewal precincts also receive ongoing attention in order to build new planned greenfield suburbs or to reinvigorate and revitalise our established suburbs.
This bill establishes the Suburban Land Agency to deliver people-focused neighbourhoods; to encourage and promote suburban development that supports affordable living, safe and active and healthy populations, social inclusion and housing choice; urban renewal where we need it; and growth and diversification of the territory’s economy. Of course, the SLA will operate commercially and in accordance with sound risk management practice, but it will also take its lead from the government priorities and expectations.
Section 38 of the bill provides the functions of the SLA: to buy and sell land, to ensure a mixture of public and private housing in new suburbs, to increase the supply of affordable and community housing, and to carry out the development of land. These functions may be exercised only in a way consistent with the statement of intent under the Financial Management Act 1996, the FMA, and with the minister’s approval. This provides the minister with the appropriate controls over the work of the SLA and ensures that their work will be carried out for the benefit of our community.
The SLA will be tasked by the government to deliver new and improved established suburbs, creating communities and better neighbourhoods. The SLA may exercise its functions by itself or with the approval of the minister and the Treasurer through subsidiaries, joint ventures or trusts or holding shares in corporations. This provides flexibility to get the best outcome for the territory.
Both the CRA and the SLA will be territory authorities as defined in the Financial Management Act. Both boards will comprise experts in city renewal and suburban development. Section 19 of the bill places duties on members of the CRA board in addition to those found in the Financial Management Act, including owing a duty to the minister when acting as a board member to act in good faith, not to pursue
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video