Mr WOOD - 2008-09-17
I have been told by reliable sources that your government has completed an audit of the buildings at Berrimah Research Farm and a large number of buildings have been earmarked for demolition. Could you advise if this is true? How many buildings, and which particular buildings, are to be demolished? Did staff at Berrimah, and Primary Industry in general, and the public, have input into the findings of the audit? Will you give a guarantee that no buildings will be demolished until the government’s proposed Greater Darwin Strategic Plan consultancy report is completed, or a full EIS and a land use objective proposal for East Arm and Berrimah is completed?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I know he does not want to see the residential and light industrial development at Berrimah Farm, but rest assured …
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! If the minister wants to attribute statements to me, she needs to get them correct. I do not want housing there; I do want light industry.
Ms LAWRIE: Okay. I know the member for Nelson does not want to see residential at Berrimah Farm …
Mr Wood: Yes, silly place.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: There are many people in the community who are very interested in that beautiful location. It has prevailing harbour breezes, beautiful views …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … it is extremely well located. It will be near Harbour Town. You can go shopping at Harbour Town from Berrimah Farm. I am sure people would enjoy that.
As to the question in and around Darwin …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: They do not like to hear the good news about Harbour Town, and they certainly do not like to hear the good news about the opportunity to live in a beautiful location between Darwin and Palmerston cities. It is a real link between our cities, it is exciting ...
Mr Wood: Oh, come on! It is all an excuse to develop it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Nelson!
Ms LAWRIE: Of course, before any residential development can occur at Berrimah Research Farm, quite appropriately, government agencies are involved in looking at the existing infrastructure there. We went out, very publicly, when we said we would have residential and light industrial there, in announcing that there would be a percentage of Berrimah Research Farm for ongoing research. Certainly, the bulk that is there will be relocated to other research areas in the Territory.
That involves an enormous body of work, undertaken by the former of DPIFM, now brought together with the Business agency, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and we also have the Department of NRETA involved, because there are significant issues regarding scientific research and laboratories across the Territory. The good news is, there are many options in terms of where that research will occur in the future, who it occurs with, and the use of laboratories. There are certainly opportunities for our researchers currently at Berrimah Research Farm in terms of what the future holds for them.
All of those assessments and audits are occurring, and all of that information will come back to relevant ministers for consideration. The reports are being gathered. We are expecting to see that information soon. The sooner we get on with developing Berrimah Research Farm for residential, and the time lines will fit very nicely with the Harbour Town Shopping Precinct development, you will have a very nice place to live and a very nice place to shop. It is very good news for many Territorians who are looking for a very nice place to live and a very nice place to shop.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I know he does not want to see the residential and light industrial development at Berrimah Farm, but rest assured …
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! If the minister wants to attribute statements to me, she needs to get them correct. I do not want housing there; I do want light industry.
Ms LAWRIE: Okay. I know the member for Nelson does not want to see residential at Berrimah Farm …
Mr Wood: Yes, silly place.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: There are many people in the community who are very interested in that beautiful location. It has prevailing harbour breezes, beautiful views …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … it is extremely well located. It will be near Harbour Town. You can go shopping at Harbour Town from Berrimah Farm. I am sure people would enjoy that.
As to the question in and around Darwin …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: They do not like to hear the good news about Harbour Town, and they certainly do not like to hear the good news about the opportunity to live in a beautiful location between Darwin and Palmerston cities. It is a real link between our cities, it is exciting ...
Mr Wood: Oh, come on! It is all an excuse to develop it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Nelson!
Ms LAWRIE: Of course, before any residential development can occur at Berrimah Research Farm, quite appropriately, government agencies are involved in looking at the existing infrastructure there. We went out, very publicly, when we said we would have residential and light industrial there, in announcing that there would be a percentage of Berrimah Research Farm for ongoing research. Certainly, the bulk that is there will be relocated to other research areas in the Territory.
That involves an enormous body of work, undertaken by the former of DPIFM, now brought together with the Business agency, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and we also have the Department of NRETA involved, because there are significant issues regarding scientific research and laboratories across the Territory. The good news is, there are many options in terms of where that research will occur in the future, who it occurs with, and the use of laboratories. There are certainly opportunities for our researchers currently at Berrimah Research Farm in terms of what the future holds for them.
All of those assessments and audits are occurring, and all of that information will come back to relevant ministers for consideration. The reports are being gathered. We are expecting to see that information soon. The sooner we get on with developing Berrimah Research Farm for residential, and the time lines will fit very nicely with the Harbour Town Shopping Precinct development, you will have a very nice place to live and a very nice place to shop. It is very good news for many Territorians who are looking for a very nice place to live and a very nice place to shop.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016