Postal Address: PO Box 3701 Weston Creek ACT 2611

Phone: 6288 8975

Fax: 6288 9179

E-mail: wccc@dynamite.com.au

Website: http://www2.dynamite.com.au/wccc

Jeff Carl welcomed the WCCC Committee, residents and the guest speakers Opposition Planning Spokesman Mr Simon Corbell, and other speakers Mr Gary Humphries, Chief Minister, and Mr Brendan Smyth, Minister for Urban Services.

Mr Carl indicated that Mr Simon Corbell would speak and Mr Gary Humphries assisted by Mr Brendan Smyth would follow. Questions from the floor would then be taken. Other business of the WCCC would be deferred; however, if there were urgent non-planning issues people could remain after the meeting.

NIL

Mr Corbell spoke to the meeting and said that he had obtained the information on possible urban ‘infill’ under FOI rules. His inquiry had begun with a request for information on the maintenance of ovals in the ACT following a debate on that issue in the Legislative Assembly. The original request had uncovered information on 'infill' and he decided to seek more information with an additional FOI request.

The documentation identified many sites, some of which had stormwater constraints and others, which had infill potential. In total there were 139 sites of urban open spaces which included parks and ovals which were either low or high maintenance. Examples in the list included Edison Park in Woden and the Woden Athletics Track.

Mr Corbell indicated that to change any classification of land use there needed to be a variation through the Legislative Assembly and clear processes are in place. A concern of his was that the material and the activity were Treasury driven. The Infrastructure Management agency was in Treasury and has since been moved to Urban Services; however PALM is not mentioned. It appeared to be an attempt to maximise revenue through land use.

Mr Corbell clearly stated that urban open spaces would not be changed. A moratorium is being considered as ‘breathing space’ to allow for considered debate on open spaces and urban infill by Labor. A better mechanism for planning would be to be put in place. A bill would be introduced to the Legislative Assembly to create an independent statutory planner position.

The Chief Minister began by way of focussing on the planned nature of Canberra and the integrity of maintaining the planning and allowing the city to be livable. Canberra could even rate World Heritage listing. About 84% of the ACT is open space or agriculture and his government has added 1000ha to these uses. In improving the city and increasing urban open spaces from a current minimum of 5% to a minimum of 10% there is a need to take stock of the actual area of urban open space within existing suburbs. This is the information that is currently being debated.

Areas for urban development are already identified on the ACT Plan and these areas have been there for some time, some from 1993 when Labor was in government and Mr Bill Wood MLA was Planning Minister. The ACT economy is doing well and the projected budget surplus removes any need for land sales to be used for economic gain.

Mr Humphries indicated that the moratorium idea was a political ploy until the next election. If a so-called moratorium was put in place it was unlikely that those land parcels designated residential and commercial in existing suburbs would revert to urban open spaces. This situation was the result of decisions made by the former Labor government in 1993.

The issue of which government had a better track record with planning was indisputable he said. In 4 years Labor approved 637 dual occupancies and released 11,000 blocks of land. A move which caused an uncontrolled downward spiral in the market prices. In 6 years the current Liberal government has only approved 417 dual occupancies and released approximately 3000 blocks of land at a controlled and appropriate rate.

Mr Carl invited questions from the floor.

• Mr Corbell was asked of the implementation of a moratorium? A moratorium resolution would need to be passed by 9 members of the Legislative Assembly. Traditionally Governments have honoured moratoriums passed by a majority. Sites would need to be designated as in or out of a moratorium. The process to vary the ACT Plan could take 6 to 9 months and involves the Planning and Urban Services Committee of the Legislative Assembly.
• Mr Sutherland asked Mr Smyth on why the lease of the Holder petrol Station has not been changed for another use? Mr Smyth replied that the government has a good record in making sure that unwanted petrol stations are offered as a going concern. There are currently 7 or 8 vacant sites, down from a high under Labor of 30.
• Mr Smyth asked Mr Corbell if the material, which was distributed, was unedited and as he received it? Mr Corbell indicated that it had not been edited. Mr Smyth advised the meeting that a column indicating YES/NO was not on the spreadsheet.

A resident made a statement, rather than a question, that the Defence Housing Authority Estate in Streeton Drive was not an appropriate use of that land. Mrs Hunter of Rivett announced to the meeting that they were taking DHA to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in January and any support was welcome.

• Mr Lindemann from Duffy asked if a moratorium would adversely affect the availability of land to build small unit/townhouses for empty-nesters in Weston Creek who would like to remain in the district? Mr Humphries advised that unfortunately flexibility would be removed and he did not want to see this happen so that people’s needs could be met. Mr Corbell advised that going down such a route would make the land unavailable if there were a turnaround and younger families needed the open spaces.
• A questioner asked of the Liberal Party approach after 12 months, that is after the next ACT Legislative Assembly election. Mr Humphries advised that the current Government’s commitment was a permanent commitment that urban open spaces would be left alone. Mr Smyth added that ACTCode2 worked on how much land was needed for people, not for a building. The new code has 3.3ha per 1000 people rather than open space being based on the area of a building.
• A question was asked if the ‘extensive research plan’ mentioned in the material supporting the spreadsheets would be modified to meet the Chief Minister’s claim of no urban open space would be changed? Mr Humphries responded indicating that the research approach would reflect his statements in a number of forums in recent days.
• The clearing of remnant vegetation was a question from ACT for Trees. Mr Smyth responded by advising that a register of significant trees was to be established in the ACT. There was a debate on the value of trees in the streetscapes and the issue of tree clearing for dual occupancies. Mr Smyth indicated that after a lease is signed there is currently little that government can do.
• Mr Karl Gordon of Weston asked if the dual occupancy problem in Weston, with a large remnant tree, could be protected because of its long-term value. Mr Smyth indicated that there would need to be protection by a legislative means such as ACTCode2.
• Mr Sutherland asked both Mr Humphries and Mr Smyth of the probability of Mirinjani obtaining the block adjacent to them to improve and expand their aged care facility. The response was that the application would need to be based on its merit and the lease purpose of the proposed block.
• Ms Marion Kossatz asked two questions; were the units to be built near Fisher Shops aged care units (Mr Smyth replied - yes). The second question related to the Government issue of inappropriate shrubs and trees to new lessees. Mr Smyth indicated that there had been a change in what was issued in terms of possible shrubby weeds. Agreement had also been gained from nursery/garden centres (eg Bunnings) not to sell inappropriate plants. Mr Humphries added that the government allocation of trees and shrubs continues.
• A resident asked if a large tree on his neighbours lease, but having an enormous impact on his land, would be on the Registrar of Trees? Mr Smyth indicated that such a perceived nuisance tree would need to be assessed.
• Mr Carl asked of the consultation period for ACTCode2. Mr Smyth indicated that a preliminary version was currently in circulation for initial comments. This would close in December. From March 2001 a formal consultation period would begin.
• A resident asked the Chief Minister to clarify the terminology he used. Mr Humphries indicated that he used the term open spaces to cover a range of land uses such as broadacre, urban open spaces, accommodation/leisure and community uses.

Mr Carl indicated no more questions.

Mr Carl thanked the guest speakers, and the residents for the diversity of questions. He indicated that Messrs Humphries, Smyth and Corbell were available to answer further questions one-on-one. Membership forms for the WCCC and fridge magnets were available as needed after the meeting. The next WCCC meeting would be the 4^th Wednesday in February 2001.

Meeting closed 9.50pm

Next Meeting:

Wednesday 28^th February 2001.