Page 4897 - Week 13 - Thursday, 2 November 2017
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comprehensive vision, pursuing a vision with vigour and getting results that are benefitting all Canberrans.
Contrast the Canberra of 2017 to the Canberra of 1997, when our community and our economy were hammered by the public service cuts of the Howard government. It was the first time in history that house prices in Canberra dropped. The territory has come a long way since then. Compare this to the Canberra of 50 years ago, when we really were just a big country town. It is no longer. If the opposition leader cannot see this, he really is operating in a parallel universe of right wing conservatism.
What the rest of the territory sees is a city that Canberrans are proud to call home; a city that is intentionally focused; and an attractive destination for tourists, students and investors.
It will probably escape the opposition leader’s attention, but stunts like the motion today do nothing but undermine the great work that so many Canberrans—particularly in our businesses, tourism and education sectors—are doing to encourage investment and visitation in Canberra. When the opposition leader stands up here and hurls unsubstantiated and misleading allegations, he harms the confidence being built in our great city.
Again, the contrast between the Chief Minister and the opposition leader is stark. While the opposition leader was dreaming up this motion, the Chief Minister was in the United States, talking up Canberra, encouraging investment in the territory and explaining the benefits of doing business here. He was inspecting work on our major transport investment, the light rail project, which is already transforming our city.
I touch briefly on the urban renewal outcome that the government is progressing in Dickson. The section 72 site in the heart of Dickson will be home to a new Common Ground and new public housing, as the government works with the community on a new plan for the site. As such, this site will provide a great outcome for Canberrans who need a helping hand, including through supportive and public housing. As the Common Ground development in Gungahlin has shown, this is a great model for providing secure and affordable accommodation and support services to Canberrans in need.
The government purchased blocks 6 and 25 of section 72 in Dickson in 2012. The precinct is within easy walking distance of the Dickson shops, the Dickson pool and the first stage of light rail—a perfect spot for social housing in the territory. The purchased blocks, along with other land in the precinct, is large enough to combine a mix of uses, including community facilities and private homes, in addition to the planned social housing. The government will soon begin consultation with the community on what they would like to see.
It is important to note that the sale and purchase arrangement allowed the government to secure ownership of two key blocks of land to consolidate a significant urban renewal site, while ensuring the public car park on block 30 section 34 in Dickson would remain available to the public while other significant development works took place in the area. In summary, the sale and purchase of these blocks in Dickson is
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