Page 984 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 May 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
for approvals of EIS exemptions. This will respond to the concerns of environmental groups.
It will restore third-party appeal rights for development approvals that permit the removal of a registered tree. This change is in response to the controversial removal last year of a registered plane tree from Franklin Street, at the Manuka shops. I am sure members will remember the huge local upset that it caused. Registered trees have the highest level of protection under the Tree Protection Act because they are the trees that are of most significance to the community. Out of the one-million-plus trees in Canberra, there are only a very small number of registered trees. Given their special status, they need better protection.
My bill will require the planning directorate to keep key information about development applications available on the internet, rather than just through visiting the directorate’s office. For example, the directorate will be required to keep development applications online for five years. This responds to concerns expressed not only by residents groups but by members of the development industry over many years about the impact that a lack of reasonable access to basic information has on their ability to organise community input on development. Way back in the Seventh Assembly, the planning committee commented on this. It is almost unbelievable that ACTPLA has not fixed that problem yet.
It also responds to community concerns about dodgy development applications with incorrect information like faulty overshadowing diagrams and inaccurate plot ratio calculations. The bill will allow the directorate to reject a development application that contains false or misleading information. Frankly, when this problem was pointed out to me, I was utterly amazed that the directorate did not already have that power.
The final three simple, practical changes in my bill include, firstly, more public consultation when development applications change significantly at the “further information” stage of the assessment process. Secondly, there is better design of larger retail developments. This is important because large retail developments are expected in coming years in Mawson, Kippax and Cooleman Court, to say nothing of Molonglo itself, eventually. Unless they are well designed, these will have a big negative impact on existing traders and the local community. Thirdly, there should be more Assembly oversight of controversial decisions such as deconcessionalisation and call-ins of development applications. These would both be made disallowable instruments.
In conclusion, the planning system needs significant reform. My bill is one part of the solution. It introduces 12 simple, practical changes that will reduce the climate change and environmental impacts of development, help residents impacted by development proposals to have their say and be listened to, and improve the quality of development. I urge all members to back the views of their constituents by supporting my bill in its entirety.
Debate (on motion by Mr Gentleman) adjourned to the next sitting.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video