Mrs BRAHAM - 1996-08-22
The minister is aware that a lack of availability of land is of concern. Is he able to provide an update on land released for commercial, industrial and residential development across the Territory?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the question is a very pertinent one. Some initiatives are being put in place by the government, right across the Northern Territory, to have a timed release of land for developers. Given the buoyancy of our economy, which is not recognised by the Labor Party, the high level of activity is generating a high level of interest and demand for commercial, industrial and residential land throughout the Northern Territory. The government is responding accordingly to meet that demand.
A major government auction of 28 blocks in Darwin was conducted on 24 June, and the interest was very strong. Blocks were offered for sale in Palmerston, the East Arm peninsula and Hudson Creek vicinity, Humpty Doo and Nightcliff. Seven sites were sold at the auction and interest in the Hudson Creek area remained strong, given its proximity to the new East Arm port. Indeed, on the day, we received a phone call from a company in Perth that had learnt of the auction. It bought a block subsequently, after phoning my office to obtain some information. I am pleased to say that interstate interest in industrial land in the port area seems to be very strong.
Earlier this month, the department invited registration of expressions of interest to purchase and develop stage 5 of the Yarrawonga serviced commercial area. Those registrations close on 9 September. This area of land was proposed previously for subdivision by the government. However, a Cabinet decision taken in recent months favoured the land being sold to developers, to allow the private sector to take part in that important process rather than the government undertaking the subdivision. The expression of interest documents propose that about 25 serviced commercial lots could be produced in a range of lot sizes on that land. The land was advertised in the newspaper this week. Already, very strong interest has been shown and documentation is in demand. Similarly, a successful applicant has been approved, and a lease offer is being prepared, to develop a serviced commercial area at Humpty Doo. That is an indication of what is happening in the Darwin rural area.
I turn now to residential development. At Palmerston, 4 development leases were issued at the end of last year, for the new suburbs of Bakewell and Rosebery. The developers have made good progress. Significant land sales have been achieved and houses are being constructed. These leases will ensure an adequate supply of residential land in Palmerston. The government allocated $2.188m for new headworks at Rosebery and Bakewell last financial
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year. Those headworks include the completion of Lambrick Avenue and the extension of the eastern trunk sewer. Work has commenced also on the construction of the first stage of Buscall Avenue, off Chung Wah Terrace, through to Forrest Parade. In 1996-97, the government has committed $1.95m for further headworks and the continuation of the eastern trunk sewer into the new suburb of Farrar.
The member for Braitling, the member for Greatorex and, no doubt, the Minister for Asian Relations, Trade and Industry will be interested to hear that, in Alice Springs, the old Telecom site on Gap Road will be advertised for release on 30 August. As a result of representations from government members in Alice Springs, the government proposes to make 15 blocks in that subdivision available to first-home buyers. Those blocks will be held exclusively for purchase by first-home buyers in recognition of the fact that there is a high demand for residential land in Alice Springs and that, because of native title implications, there is a restriction on land being released. As a consequence, land has increased in value.
Ms Martin: That argument does not impress us at all.
Mr REED: The member for Fannie Bay may not have the interests of first-home buyers at heart, but this government has, and it will put in place a process to assist them. If that fails to warm the heart of the member for Fannie Bay, she can explain that to the people of Alice Springs.
That land on Gap Road is likely to yield some 60 to 70 units in a range of residential densities. I am sure the release will be welcomed, at least by the government members. Also in Alice Springs, it is proposed to release the old Stokes Street Depot site for commercial development, on 13 September. That is located next to the Australian National land, near the CBD, and will provide further commercial land for developers in Alice Springs.
Right across the Northern Territory, the government is pro-active in providing serviced land or land for development at timely intervals to support the high level of economic development in the Northern Territory.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the question is a very pertinent one. Some initiatives are being put in place by the government, right across the Northern Territory, to have a timed release of land for developers. Given the buoyancy of our economy, which is not recognised by the Labor Party, the high level of activity is generating a high level of interest and demand for commercial, industrial and residential land throughout the Northern Territory. The government is responding accordingly to meet that demand.
A major government auction of 28 blocks in Darwin was conducted on 24 June, and the interest was very strong. Blocks were offered for sale in Palmerston, the East Arm peninsula and Hudson Creek vicinity, Humpty Doo and Nightcliff. Seven sites were sold at the auction and interest in the Hudson Creek area remained strong, given its proximity to the new East Arm port. Indeed, on the day, we received a phone call from a company in Perth that had learnt of the auction. It bought a block subsequently, after phoning my office to obtain some information. I am pleased to say that interstate interest in industrial land in the port area seems to be very strong.
Earlier this month, the department invited registration of expressions of interest to purchase and develop stage 5 of the Yarrawonga serviced commercial area. Those registrations close on 9 September. This area of land was proposed previously for subdivision by the government. However, a Cabinet decision taken in recent months favoured the land being sold to developers, to allow the private sector to take part in that important process rather than the government undertaking the subdivision. The expression of interest documents propose that about 25 serviced commercial lots could be produced in a range of lot sizes on that land. The land was advertised in the newspaper this week. Already, very strong interest has been shown and documentation is in demand. Similarly, a successful applicant has been approved, and a lease offer is being prepared, to develop a serviced commercial area at Humpty Doo. That is an indication of what is happening in the Darwin rural area.
I turn now to residential development. At Palmerston, 4 development leases were issued at the end of last year, for the new suburbs of Bakewell and Rosebery. The developers have made good progress. Significant land sales have been achieved and houses are being constructed. These leases will ensure an adequate supply of residential land in Palmerston. The government allocated $2.188m for new headworks at Rosebery and Bakewell last financial
Page 1546
year. Those headworks include the completion of Lambrick Avenue and the extension of the eastern trunk sewer. Work has commenced also on the construction of the first stage of Buscall Avenue, off Chung Wah Terrace, through to Forrest Parade. In 1996-97, the government has committed $1.95m for further headworks and the continuation of the eastern trunk sewer into the new suburb of Farrar.
The member for Braitling, the member for Greatorex and, no doubt, the Minister for Asian Relations, Trade and Industry will be interested to hear that, in Alice Springs, the old Telecom site on Gap Road will be advertised for release on 30 August. As a result of representations from government members in Alice Springs, the government proposes to make 15 blocks in that subdivision available to first-home buyers. Those blocks will be held exclusively for purchase by first-home buyers in recognition of the fact that there is a high demand for residential land in Alice Springs and that, because of native title implications, there is a restriction on land being released. As a consequence, land has increased in value.
Ms Martin: That argument does not impress us at all.
Mr REED: The member for Fannie Bay may not have the interests of first-home buyers at heart, but this government has, and it will put in place a process to assist them. If that fails to warm the heart of the member for Fannie Bay, she can explain that to the people of Alice Springs.
That land on Gap Road is likely to yield some 60 to 70 units in a range of residential densities. I am sure the release will be welcomed, at least by the government members. Also in Alice Springs, it is proposed to release the old Stokes Street Depot site for commercial development, on 13 September. That is located next to the Australian National land, near the CBD, and will provide further commercial land for developers in Alice Springs.
Right across the Northern Territory, the government is pro-active in providing serviced land or land for development at timely intervals to support the high level of economic development in the Northern Territory.
Page 1547
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016