Mr BALDWIN - 2003-05-29
Minister, I note that in regards to the purchase of Lee Point land, your office was recently quoted in the NT News as saying negotiations were continuing and it was hopeful a resolution would be reached in the next couple of months. You know I have raised this issue in this House a number of times. Can you please explain what you are going to do with the purchase of Defence land at Lee Point from the Commonwealth?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is a great pleasure for me to update the House on what is happening at Lee Point because, obviously, the member is not up to scratch with what has happened there. We have been negotiating with the Commonwealth for the release of Lee Point land. Negotiations were tough, they were asking for a very big price, in excess of $10m. The department and the government was not prepared to pay that price. However, because the Defence Housing Authority approached us, we agreed and we advised the Commonwealth that we were prepared to withdraw our effort to purchase the land in favour of Defence Housing Authority.
The Defence Housing Authority intends to acquire the land. However, the government and Defence Housing Authority will sign a memorandum of understanding that will specify when and how things will start happening, and the local content. We are very pleased to say that the document for the sale of Defence land to the Defence Housing Authority is before the federal minister who is responsible for the land. I believe it will be signed very quickly, and the memorandum of understanding between the government and the Defence Housing Authority is about to be signed. Also, I believe the Defence Housing Authority wants to acquire only a certain number of houses in Lee Point, and they are actively seeking a developer to become partner for the development of a new suburb in Lee Point.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is a great pleasure for me to update the House on what is happening at Lee Point because, obviously, the member is not up to scratch with what has happened there. We have been negotiating with the Commonwealth for the release of Lee Point land. Negotiations were tough, they were asking for a very big price, in excess of $10m. The department and the government was not prepared to pay that price. However, because the Defence Housing Authority approached us, we agreed and we advised the Commonwealth that we were prepared to withdraw our effort to purchase the land in favour of Defence Housing Authority.
The Defence Housing Authority intends to acquire the land. However, the government and Defence Housing Authority will sign a memorandum of understanding that will specify when and how things will start happening, and the local content. We are very pleased to say that the document for the sale of Defence land to the Defence Housing Authority is before the federal minister who is responsible for the land. I believe it will be signed very quickly, and the memorandum of understanding between the government and the Defence Housing Authority is about to be signed. Also, I believe the Defence Housing Authority wants to acquire only a certain number of houses in Lee Point, and they are actively seeking a developer to become partner for the development of a new suburb in Lee Point.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016