The Property Council of Australia has today welcomed the Federal Parliament’s committee on the national capital report on the National Capital Authority, released earlier today by committee chair Senator Kate Lundy.
Property Council ACT Executive Director, Catherine Carter, said that the support expressed by the committee, and the reaffirmation of the Federal Government’s commitment to the national capital, and to national capital planning, is particularly welcome.
“The committee has clearly taken its task very seriously, and there are a number of other significant recommendations that are also welcome,” Ms Carter said.
“These are primarily around issues concerning corporate governance, an integrated planning framework for Canberra, and proper resourcing for the National Capital Authority. This includes a strong recommendation that funding for the Griffin Legacy road infrastructure upgrade to Constitution Avenue be reinstated.
“The recommendations in relation to encouraging collaboration and a co-operative approach to planning between the Federal and ACT Governments and their respective agencies are also welcome.
“There are a significant number of recommendations that will clearly require detailed analysis. We would therefore urge the Federal Government not to rush to early implementation of the report in its entirety, but to undertake more detailed consideration of some of the major issues.
“For example, we would have serious concerns about any proposed transfer of planning responsibility from the National Capital Authority to local planning bodies, particularly given the capacity constraints in the ACT planning system.
“The Property Council looks forward to working with government on these issues, and to contributing to quality planning outcomes for Canberra,” Ms Carter said.
For further information contact:
Catherine Carter, Executive Director, 02 6248 6902 or 0412 330 079
