Page 1486 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 July 2020
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Under the Planning and Development Act 2007 two main types of leases are available—a market value lease or a concessional lease. UNSW’s operational model does not meet the requirements under the act for a concessional lease. While the provisions relating to concessional leases do allow for education establishments, they are designed for community organisations and, given this design, apply strict limits to commercial operations.
I am advised that UNSW, like any university, requires flexibility to enter long-term subleases with commercial partners. A concessional lease would restrict UNSW’s flexibility to sublease and would undermine its ability to operate the type of campus both UNSW and the government envisage. The bill implements strong protections for the territory’s investment in this project. The territory is also committed to protecting the interests of the Canberra Institute of Technology—CIT—in its relocation from Reid. Madam Speaker, I have very fond memories of attending the Reid campus of CIT and doing my oxyacetylene course back in the early 80s.
The government intends to develop a new CIT campus alongside our new public transportation interchange at Woden town centre. Consultation on early concept designs for CIT’s new facilities is already underway. The project time line foreshadows a new CIT facility in Woden, commencing construction in 2022 and operating in 2025. Internal governance structures within ACT government directorates are in place to oversee the UNSW Canberra city campus implementation and the delivery of the new state-of-the-art facilities for CIT in Woden. Senior government officials are involved in both projects and CIT’s requirements are being carefully considered in this context.
As highlighted by the Chief Minister in the 2020 state of the territory address, Canberra is a knowledge city, and rebuilding our higher education sector is a crucial tool in our pathway out of the pandemic. Not only will UNSW Canberra city campus build on Canberra’s strengths as a leader in higher education, defence and cybersecurity but also it will provide enhanced opportunities for collaboration and growth in these sectors and encourage increased economic activity. As we move into the next phase of our COVID-19 response, in managing the health risks while driving the recovery of our city, this is precisely the sort of long-term project that we need to support our recovery.
This amendment bill is critical in allowing this to occur, and I encourage members to consider this bill, noting the strong protections that the proposed legislative amendments will implement, and in recognition of the significant economic growth benefits that UNSW Canberra city campus will bring to the territory for decades to come.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
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