Page 4647 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 27 November 2019
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Whilst I would like to continue making fun of the opposition, I will, for a moment, take this motion seriously—not because it deserves it but because it does not. Yes, there are some people who have houses over the road and who, despite the government’s published intention to build on the site, had a go at a bit of property speculation that it would end up being a park. Once the new houses on the end of the peninsula are built, I am sure they will get over it, because Coombs is a grouse suburb.
Other than them, this motion seems to represent the worst of Liberal policymaking—doing the opposite of what they say their principles are. It is probably why the people of Canberra have not let the Canberra Liberals anywhere near power in decades, because they will sell out their policies to the first lobby group that wanders past. I understand that they do not like us and are having a bit of a go at trying to make life inconvenient for the government. It is just a bit weird that they would sell out their own positions so hard in order to do so. But I am sure the government will respond by getting on with the job and ignoring the silliness.
MRS JONES (Murrumbidgee) (3.21): Speaking to the amendment and in closing, the Canberra Liberals will be supporting the Greens amendment today as it strengthens the statement that will be made by the Assembly about this matter.
I welcome Ms Cody coming out as being against Coombs peninsula, describing it as “scraggy bits of not very much”. I am sure the community will love to hear that. She might wonder, as the minister does, where this has come from. This has come from 550 residents in Coombs.
We on this side of the chamber are in fact open to and welcoming of conservation options which look after enough of the local environment to allow for native animals to flourish, and for people to enjoy the natural environment close to their homes. That is the way that the whole of the ACT has been developed—in particular, in older areas, where there has been the maintenance of tree growth in areas that families can enjoy, people with pets can enjoy and so that people can maintain a certain level of exercise and mental health respite.
Unfortunately, the Suburban Land Agency has already started tipping over trees in Coombs peninsula and digging holes. Ms Le Couteur informs me that the holes have been filled in again, but it was quite distressing for residents to see that. The assertion that it is only residents whose houses face onto the nature reserve who value this place is incorrect. That is wrong.
I look forward to continuing to keep an eye on this matter. Today the Assembly will speak on behalf of the current residents of Coombs, who have a right to have some say over their own area. This is a democracy, and that is the purpose of votes in this chamber. Today the preference of the residents of Coombs will be heard by this government.
Amendment agreed to.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
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