Page 2485 - Week 07 - Thursday, 3 August 2017
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MR RATTENBURY: Last week I attended the corrections ministers conference, and what I can tell the Assembly is that every jurisdiction in Australia has experienced a range of accommodation issues like this. All of these jurisdictions are doing their best to predict what future numbers will be but there are a range of factors external to corrections. The colloquial expression is that corrections is the end of the line—we take whoever gets sent to us. The ability of corrections to influence that is limited and corrections needs to do the best it can to accommodate those who arrive. That is continuing. It is a dynamic environment.
I think that the expansion of the AMC was successful in that it provided a range of improved accommodation options and improved safety and management options for ACT Corrective Services. I expect that, as we consider future options for particularly the women’s accommodation, some of the expertise gained from the successful expansion will be brought to dealing with the question we now have to deal with.
Planning—Federal Golf Club
MS LEE: My question is to the Chief Minister in his capacity as acting Minister for Planning and Land Management. Chief Minister, today’s Canberra Times reported that the government has set up a panel to progress the Federal Golf Club’s plans for a new clubhouse with a gym and 125 homes. Despite first floating plans to sell parts of its land as early as 1999 and plans for the development of villas being discussed in 2015, the Federal Golf Club is yet to lodge a development application. Now, in August 2017, the government has set up this panel. Chief Minister, what criteria does the government use in determining when to establish a panel of this kind and in selecting the panel’s membership?
MR BARR: This is a one-off commitment, I am advised. The panel meets for the first time this evening. Deliberations of the panel are without prejudice and do not bind the ACT government, the National Capital Authority, the proponent, the various participants or the groups they represent to a preferred option or a stated position.
Given the history of this particular issue, which I think goes back to the Carnell government, it is an attempt to reach a community consensus in relation to the proposal.
MS LEE: Chief Minister, what role will the government play in assessing the development application when and if it is lodged?
MR BARR: The independent Planning and Land Authority assesses development applications.
MR PARTON: Chief Minister, with the government’s decision to now set up this panel, what association does it have with the Federal Golf Club’s recent decision to withdraw its membership of ClubsACT?
MR BARR: Absolutely none.
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