Mr MILLS - 2009-11-26
Last night, in the censure motion regarding your appalling neglect of Alice Springs, you said, in relation to housing: ‘… this is a very significant issue and one the government has to not take its eye off for one moment …’. Three weeks ago, the Centralian Advocate ran a front page story about the state of land and housing development in Alice Springs. The headline is very stark, ‘Going Going Gone’. When will you admit you have taken your eye off the ball when it comes to land and housing development in Alice Springs and, in fact, the entire Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. He is absolutely right: the single most concerning issue in Alice Springs is land release. It is interesting that, on the last day of sittings in Alice Springs, at last, the CLP has got to the number one issue concerning local residents.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I am glad they finally reached it. We have a number of land release projects under way.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: As we said, we have been working with Lhere Artepe on Mt Johns; the first stage will provide 23 single dwelling lots, four multiple dwelling lots, and one larger block for the development of up to 50 units. The first stage has the potential to provide up to 90 dwellings, and of course, all those sold off the plan. I have had meetings with Lhere Artepe this week, and we are looking at ways to work with them to fast-track Stage 2, such has been the success of Stage 1.
I pay tribute to Lhere Artepe, the native title representative body on behalf of traditional owners, getting into the development business. It is a model I seek to encourage in the future. Lhere Artepe is working with the community in Alice Springs to be part of the solution to the housing issues in Alice Springs and is to be commended.
At Larapinta Stage 2, 39 blocks have been developed, with six set aside for first homebuyers, plus one multiple dwelling blocking for seniors public housing. The area is marketed as Ridges Estate and all blocks have been sold.
There is also considerable investment in private land release and development occurring around Alice Springs. Coolibah Tree Estate at Ragonesi Road is expected to yield 256 lots, with 62 in Stage 1. Melanka Lodge: an application has been lodged with the DCA for the redevelopment of this site to create 118 units in a five-storey structure. I recognise there is debate regarding the height of that development, and that is an issue for the community in Alice Springs to resolve. In the Stegar Road subdivision, the permit issue will provide for a number of lots down to 4000 m. In addition to this, the community has seen 17 blocks around the town rezoned over the past two years, providing up to 57 new units.
I can advise that the government is also investigating options and potential sites with the private sector for the establishment of a workers camp in Alice Springs. We are hoping to make an announcement regarding that in the not too distant future. My colleague, the Planning minister, has established a planning reference advisory group, comprising the Alice Springs Town Council, the Real Estate Institute, and other affected parties. It met this week to consider plans for the rezoning at AZRI for up to, potentially, 1200 lots of land. The advice from the Planning minister is that that application for rezoning will soon be made public.
I acknowledge and accept there are significant issues in Alice Springs regarding land release. We are working as hard as we can, not only as a government but, importantly, with the private sector …
Mr Elferink interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: I heard the member for Port Darwin chortling about the private sector. The private sector drives the economy. We are a government which works with the private sector across the Northern Territory, and we will do so in Alice Springs with subdivisions and land release.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. He is absolutely right: the single most concerning issue in Alice Springs is land release. It is interesting that, on the last day of sittings in Alice Springs, at last, the CLP has got to the number one issue concerning local residents.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I am glad they finally reached it. We have a number of land release projects under way.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: As we said, we have been working with Lhere Artepe on Mt Johns; the first stage will provide 23 single dwelling lots, four multiple dwelling lots, and one larger block for the development of up to 50 units. The first stage has the potential to provide up to 90 dwellings, and of course, all those sold off the plan. I have had meetings with Lhere Artepe this week, and we are looking at ways to work with them to fast-track Stage 2, such has been the success of Stage 1.
I pay tribute to Lhere Artepe, the native title representative body on behalf of traditional owners, getting into the development business. It is a model I seek to encourage in the future. Lhere Artepe is working with the community in Alice Springs to be part of the solution to the housing issues in Alice Springs and is to be commended.
At Larapinta Stage 2, 39 blocks have been developed, with six set aside for first homebuyers, plus one multiple dwelling blocking for seniors public housing. The area is marketed as Ridges Estate and all blocks have been sold.
There is also considerable investment in private land release and development occurring around Alice Springs. Coolibah Tree Estate at Ragonesi Road is expected to yield 256 lots, with 62 in Stage 1. Melanka Lodge: an application has been lodged with the DCA for the redevelopment of this site to create 118 units in a five-storey structure. I recognise there is debate regarding the height of that development, and that is an issue for the community in Alice Springs to resolve. In the Stegar Road subdivision, the permit issue will provide for a number of lots down to 4000 m. In addition to this, the community has seen 17 blocks around the town rezoned over the past two years, providing up to 57 new units.
I can advise that the government is also investigating options and potential sites with the private sector for the establishment of a workers camp in Alice Springs. We are hoping to make an announcement regarding that in the not too distant future. My colleague, the Planning minister, has established a planning reference advisory group, comprising the Alice Springs Town Council, the Real Estate Institute, and other affected parties. It met this week to consider plans for the rezoning at AZRI for up to, potentially, 1200 lots of land. The advice from the Planning minister is that that application for rezoning will soon be made public.
I acknowledge and accept there are significant issues in Alice Springs regarding land release. We are working as hard as we can, not only as a government but, importantly, with the private sector …
Mr Elferink interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: I heard the member for Port Darwin chortling about the private sector. The private sector drives the economy. We are a government which works with the private sector across the Northern Territory, and we will do so in Alice Springs with subdivisions and land release.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016