Mr WOOD - 2006-08-22
In light of what you said in your previous answer about retaining the vegetation and the bush in our urban areas, why did your government not remove the creek from the proposal to develop Lot 5994 ‘Little Mindil’, and why did your government not remove the escarpment from the ‘Little Mindil’ development site and leave it as a rainforest and also, like the creek, a habitat for wildlife? Minister, if you have not yet excluded those areas from development, are you not just heading for the same problems you had at The Chase with Delfin trying to develop unsuitable land, and then the government having to work out a compensation deal?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Before I answer it, it is significant that this is a very topical issue. The member for Nelson was asking good questions about it. However, the opposition in terms of their media comments and their position in terms of ‘Little Mindil’ have not made a sound. I will be interested, and I hope the media ask the opposition, what their position is regarding ‘Little Mindil’ as it will be interesting.
To answer the question from the member for Nelson, certainly that creek is an important area. it is actually a person-made creek - I was almost going to say a man-made creek, but it is a creek made with human hands, and it needs to be remediated. It has suffered over the years. I would be expecting the proponents who are putting forward their plans for the site to look at the remediation of that creek, along with other issues such as headworks, including access on to Gilruth Avenue.
Regarding the escarpment area, I agree; it is an important area and that will not be developed. It will be protected. There are also very clear guidelines in terms of the development that it should not exceed the height of the escarpment. I am intent on retaining amenity in that area. I believe it is going to be a fantastic development. I think it is going to add value to the properties. It will be something that will add to Darwin, not only for overseas visitors, but I would say many Darwin people will go there to enjoy this resort, and Darwin people will still be able to enjoy the foreshore and beach.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Before I answer it, it is significant that this is a very topical issue. The member for Nelson was asking good questions about it. However, the opposition in terms of their media comments and their position in terms of ‘Little Mindil’ have not made a sound. I will be interested, and I hope the media ask the opposition, what their position is regarding ‘Little Mindil’ as it will be interesting.
To answer the question from the member for Nelson, certainly that creek is an important area. it is actually a person-made creek - I was almost going to say a man-made creek, but it is a creek made with human hands, and it needs to be remediated. It has suffered over the years. I would be expecting the proponents who are putting forward their plans for the site to look at the remediation of that creek, along with other issues such as headworks, including access on to Gilruth Avenue.
Regarding the escarpment area, I agree; it is an important area and that will not be developed. It will be protected. There are also very clear guidelines in terms of the development that it should not exceed the height of the escarpment. I am intent on retaining amenity in that area. I believe it is going to be a fantastic development. I think it is going to add value to the properties. It will be something that will add to Darwin, not only for overseas visitors, but I would say many Darwin people will go there to enjoy this resort, and Darwin people will still be able to enjoy the foreshore and beach.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016