Ms PURICK - 2010-02-25
Recently, the Chief Minister, the man who has created the worst housing crisis in the Territory’s history, directed you to kill an apartment development on the old Bunnings site in his electorate of Wanguri. You continue to suppress the Development Consent Authority’s report and recommendations, which you promised to release in January this year, regarding the proposed apartment development on that site. Are you suppressing the DCA’s recommendations because it is at odds with the order from the Chief Minister to kill the proposal? When will you be releasing the recommendations on this application as promised?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for her question. Our planning system promotes community involvement and input. Rezoning applications are advertised and publicly available, and the community has their right to have a say in how the community grows.
I recently refused an amendment to the Northern Territory Planning Scheme to rezone part of the old Bunnings site to medium density residential. The site is zoned commercial. The owner had applied to rezone the area for a development that facilitated unit development of up to four storeys.
The Wanguri community strongly objected to the development and believed the proposal would have a negative impact on the amenity of the area. The Development Consent Authority held a public hearing to consider the application and submissions were received from the community. The authority noted the significant community objection.
The current zoning allows for a reasonable mix of commercial and residential units on the site. Based on the concerns raised by the community and the DCA, I decided to refuse the application. I understand the developers are revising their proposal to comply with the current commercial zoning of the land.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
I am having significant difficulty hearing, which is why I am not surprised I have had so many people contacting my office this week who have been attempting to listen to this broadcast. There were a number of members named who have particularly loud voices, I will not mention them today, who are interfering with people trying to follow the broadcast. I am surprised by how many people do actually follow this.
I would appreciate it if, for the next 20 minutes, we can have a little order so we can hear the questions and the answers.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for her question. Our planning system promotes community involvement and input. Rezoning applications are advertised and publicly available, and the community has their right to have a say in how the community grows.
I recently refused an amendment to the Northern Territory Planning Scheme to rezone part of the old Bunnings site to medium density residential. The site is zoned commercial. The owner had applied to rezone the area for a development that facilitated unit development of up to four storeys.
The Wanguri community strongly objected to the development and believed the proposal would have a negative impact on the amenity of the area. The Development Consent Authority held a public hearing to consider the application and submissions were received from the community. The authority noted the significant community objection.
The current zoning allows for a reasonable mix of commercial and residential units on the site. Based on the concerns raised by the community and the DCA, I decided to refuse the application. I understand the developers are revising their proposal to comply with the current commercial zoning of the land.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
I am having significant difficulty hearing, which is why I am not surprised I have had so many people contacting my office this week who have been attempting to listen to this broadcast. There were a number of members named who have particularly loud voices, I will not mention them today, who are interfering with people trying to follow the broadcast. I am surprised by how many people do actually follow this.
I would appreciate it if, for the next 20 minutes, we can have a little order so we can hear the questions and the answers.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016