Mr ELFERINK - 2012-05-02
Last year in estimates, in relation to Flagstaff Park, you said:
In fact, you repeat that promise on three other occasions in the estimates process. Can you direct me to where I can find that $6m in this year’s budget and, if it is not there, can you explain to this House why the promise has been broken?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this government remains committed to green open spaces right around the Darwin peninsula. Myilly Park is one of those spaces, in conjunction with the old hospital site. Of course, the member for Port Darwin is very interested in this, and I commend that. However, you will not find it in the budget papers. That answers it succinctly; however …
Members interjecting.
Mr McCARTHY: Let them interject, let them bellow and roar.
We remain committed. Being good economic liberalists as you are, you would understand this is what I call - and what I have recommended to the Chief Minister - as the Bennelong Point of Darwin. It is absolutely sensational land. It is high-end land, and the government’s plan is, and will always be, to use that area for 20% residential …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr McCARTHY: What have we done? We have engaged in very active and comprehensive community consultation. We have talked to stakeholder groups about the commemorative nature of the old hospital site, and we are in communication with three well-acknowledged groups across the Northern Territory. We have looked at Myilly Park, as well as the old hospital site, and we are planning to develop that to what it is: a brilliant piece of land that will support the growth and development of iconic parts of this city as green open space.
However, we want to get it right. We are going to use economic rationalism from the Liberals, and we are going to sell it when the time is right. We will develop that 20% when the market has returned to deliver the best return for Territorians, the best return for the taxpayers, so we can do that development site justice.
Member for Port Darwin, that is the answer and will remain the answer. I can appreciate your frustration, but these are very tough economic times and members on this side have all taken hits. We have all worked really hard and diligently as a team to deliver a responsible budget in tough times. I would say to members opposite, you are part of this because you are Territorians, but be aware, it will be developed, as will the old hospital site ...
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr McCARTHY: The member is chafing at the bit to get to his feet …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Mr McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, we best hear what the member for Port Darwin has to say next.
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for CONSTRUCTION
Madam Speaker, I ask on behalf of the people of Port Darwin - since the promise was broken in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and now has been broken again – when, and on what date, will you make good on the promise you have repeatedly broken?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I respond on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory. For those members opposite who deny climate change, who deny the GFC, who deny Territorians jobs with an economic rationalist approach to slash and burn, it will be developed when the market returns and when that land realises the return it deserves. That will come, member for Port Darwin. That will occur and you will be proud of the results, just as this government will be.
- That $6m allocation ...
...
... is now allocated in 2012-13, and that is specifically for the Myilly Point Park ....
In fact, you repeat that promise on three other occasions in the estimates process. Can you direct me to where I can find that $6m in this year’s budget and, if it is not there, can you explain to this House why the promise has been broken?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this government remains committed to green open spaces right around the Darwin peninsula. Myilly Park is one of those spaces, in conjunction with the old hospital site. Of course, the member for Port Darwin is very interested in this, and I commend that. However, you will not find it in the budget papers. That answers it succinctly; however …
Members interjecting.
Mr McCARTHY: Let them interject, let them bellow and roar.
We remain committed. Being good economic liberalists as you are, you would understand this is what I call - and what I have recommended to the Chief Minister - as the Bennelong Point of Darwin. It is absolutely sensational land. It is high-end land, and the government’s plan is, and will always be, to use that area for 20% residential …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr McCARTHY: What have we done? We have engaged in very active and comprehensive community consultation. We have talked to stakeholder groups about the commemorative nature of the old hospital site, and we are in communication with three well-acknowledged groups across the Northern Territory. We have looked at Myilly Park, as well as the old hospital site, and we are planning to develop that to what it is: a brilliant piece of land that will support the growth and development of iconic parts of this city as green open space.
However, we want to get it right. We are going to use economic rationalism from the Liberals, and we are going to sell it when the time is right. We will develop that 20% when the market has returned to deliver the best return for Territorians, the best return for the taxpayers, so we can do that development site justice.
Member for Port Darwin, that is the answer and will remain the answer. I can appreciate your frustration, but these are very tough economic times and members on this side have all taken hits. We have all worked really hard and diligently as a team to deliver a responsible budget in tough times. I would say to members opposite, you are part of this because you are Territorians, but be aware, it will be developed, as will the old hospital site ...
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr McCARTHY: The member is chafing at the bit to get to his feet …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Mr McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, we best hear what the member for Port Darwin has to say next.
Supplementary Question
Budget 2012-13 - Flagstaff Park Allocation
Budget 2012-13 - Flagstaff Park Allocation
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for CONSTRUCTION
Madam Speaker, I ask on behalf of the people of Port Darwin - since the promise was broken in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and now has been broken again – when, and on what date, will you make good on the promise you have repeatedly broken?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I respond on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory. For those members opposite who deny climate change, who deny the GFC, who deny Territorians jobs with an economic rationalist approach to slash and burn, it will be developed when the market returns and when that land realises the return it deserves. That will come, member for Port Darwin. That will occur and you will be proud of the results, just as this government will be.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016