Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH - 1995-11-29
Despite what the minister has told me about his inclination to have blocks with a minimum size of 5 acres, except in a possible district centre, in the newly-released subdivision of what was previously forestry land near the Howard Springs Nature Park, it has come to my
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attention that certain personnel in the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment are determined to have small town-sized blocks created in this area. Can the minister tell me whose view on this matter will carry the day: will it be his commonsense view of subdivision in this RL1 area or that of his departmental officers whose intentions on this matter are, I believe, questionable?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a rather unusual question. I thought I stated quite clearly last night to the member, albeit privately, that her concerns were not going unaddressed.
In debate last night on the revocation of the declaration of the Howard Springs Forestry Reserve, I made specific reference to the fact that, of the total 870 ha, after green-belt areas and the necessary requirements for roads are removed, 570 ha will be available for subdivision. I will be moving to have that area rezoned. In the rezoning process, I will be catering for public input to enable us to obtain the views of people in the area and others who may be interested. I would think that even those who may be interested in taking up a block in Howard Springs might want to have some input into this area's future development so that it is consistent with existing developments in the area. It is only fair that that be done to maintain the integrity of the rural residential lifestyle which people experience currently in that area. If the local community is of the view that there is a need for a small district centre and feels that it might incorporate smaller blocks, let people come forward with the suggestion. Alternatively, if there is to be no provision for -acre blocks, which the member referred to, let us talk about that.
From the government's point of view, we will be releasing the land on a managed basis to ensure that the market is not swamped. I would think that the development will be undertaken by private developers. The planning processes will be open and public. We will be seeking public input in relation to what will happen at the old Howard Springs Forestry Reserve area, because people there have to be satisfied with the planning processes and the development that will take place. However, I think that there will be many very happy residents living in that area. In the planning process and the rezoning of the area, we will ensure that the appropriate block sizes are provided.
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attention that certain personnel in the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment are determined to have small town-sized blocks created in this area. Can the minister tell me whose view on this matter will carry the day: will it be his commonsense view of subdivision in this RL1 area or that of his departmental officers whose intentions on this matter are, I believe, questionable?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a rather unusual question. I thought I stated quite clearly last night to the member, albeit privately, that her concerns were not going unaddressed.
In debate last night on the revocation of the declaration of the Howard Springs Forestry Reserve, I made specific reference to the fact that, of the total 870 ha, after green-belt areas and the necessary requirements for roads are removed, 570 ha will be available for subdivision. I will be moving to have that area rezoned. In the rezoning process, I will be catering for public input to enable us to obtain the views of people in the area and others who may be interested. I would think that even those who may be interested in taking up a block in Howard Springs might want to have some input into this area's future development so that it is consistent with existing developments in the area. It is only fair that that be done to maintain the integrity of the rural residential lifestyle which people experience currently in that area. If the local community is of the view that there is a need for a small district centre and feels that it might incorporate smaller blocks, let people come forward with the suggestion. Alternatively, if there is to be no provision for -acre blocks, which the member referred to, let us talk about that.
From the government's point of view, we will be releasing the land on a managed basis to ensure that the market is not swamped. I would think that the development will be undertaken by private developers. The planning processes will be open and public. We will be seeking public input in relation to what will happen at the old Howard Springs Forestry Reserve area, because people there have to be satisfied with the planning processes and the development that will take place. However, I think that there will be many very happy residents living in that area. In the planning process and the rezoning of the area, we will ensure that the appropriate block sizes are provided.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016