News - Planning & development

In early July, ACT Minister for Planning Andrew Barr put out a media release advising that he was appointing an independent expert to oversee the redrafting of the ACT Territory Plan, assisted by a 'Reference Panel'.

Following the work we did on our submission to the draft Territory Plan, the Minister has asked me to be one of the two community representatives on the Reference Panel.

Doing our submission and all the consultation workshops that involved was a full-on period, so this role will indeed be a bit daunting. But it is an incredibly important opportunity for us to have direct input into the direction planning takes in Canberra, and I'm looking forward to it.

The other members of the Reference Panel are:

• Tania Parkes, Tania Parkes Consulting (Chair - social planner)
• Miles Boak, North Canberra Community Council (community)
• Richard Johnston, A/President, ACT Division, Planning Institute Australia (professions)
• Sheila Hughes, Councillor, ACT Chapter, Royal Australian Institute of Architects (professions)
• Jerry Howard, Deputy Executive Director, Master Builders Association of the ACT (industry)
• Chris Wheeler, Partner, Mallesons Stephen Jacques (industry)
• Professor Brian Roberts (academic planning specialist)

The Terms of Reference for the Panel are:

The Reference Group membership will contain a maximum representation of:

• 2 industry representatives
• 2 representatives nominated from the relevant professional associations
• 2 community representatives nominated from Community Councils
• 1 social planner and 1 academic planning specialist to be appointed by the Minister.

The Minister will also appoint a member of the Reference Group as its Chair.

The members of the Reference Group will be paid a nominal fee and serve a fixed period of time associated with revising the restructured Territory Plan post preliminary public consultation and in the lead up to its adoption by the Government after a statutory period of public consultation.

The Reference Group will:

• Consider the audit tables prepared for all zone development tables and the following Codes:

• Residential Zones Development Code
• Commercial Zones Development Code
• Subdivision Development Code
• Industrial Zones Development Code
• Non-Urban Zones Development Code
• Community Facilities Zone Development Code
• Parks and Recreation Zone Development Code
• Transport and Services Zones Development Code
• Rural Villages Precinct Code
• Northbourne Avenue Precinct Code
• Inner North Precinct Code
• Telecommunications General Code

• Advise the Independent Assessor on the content of the audit tables for accuracy and completeness;
• Meet with the ACT Planning and Land Authority and Independent Assessor on issues they may wish to discuss relevant to the Terms of Reference.
• Maintain the confidential nature of the work being undertaken until such time as it is considered by the government.

The Minister's full release follows:

Media Release 9 July 2007

ACT Minister for Planning Andrew Barr today announced a new process for the implementation of the new Territory Plan, with the appointment of an independent assessor and reference group to work with ACTPLA.
 
Mr Barr said the implementation of the restructured Territory Plan will now be delayed until early next year.
 
'Recent consultation on the new Territory Plan has resulted in more than 100 submissions - including a number from key industry associations,' Mr Barr said.
 
'It is important we achieve the best possible outcome for all involved and this new process will allow sufficient time for the ACT Planning and Land Authority to consider and make further changes to the restructured Territory Plan as a result of its own analysis and in response to submissions.
 
'I recently met with representatives of these industry associations and also received feedback from key community groups. From this, it's clear to me that although there have been three separate consultations over the past three years, there is still great interest and key issues that need to be addressed.'
 
Minister Barr announced the appointment of an independent assessor who will work with ACTPLA but advise the Minister separately on the methodology to be used and outcomes of the work undertaken in further improving the restructured Territory Plan.
 
'I am appointing Ms Sue Holliday, the former Director General of the NSW Department of Planning, as the independent assessor to provide transparency during this crucial phase,' Mr Barr said.
 
'Her job will be to advise me on the adequacy of the process used by the Authority for addressing issues raised during the recent consultation and whether or not, once completed, the Territory Plan will meet the objective tests expected of it.
 
'The reference group of eight members will be selected for their expertise and ability to contribute to the creation of a clear and easy-to-use Territory Plan. There will be two industry representatives, two community representatives, two professional experts and two specialists appointed by me.

'The group's role will be governed by a set of terms of reference, but essentially they will be used as a sounding board by both the assessor and the Authority as they work their way through changes to the Territory Plan. Letters of invitation to nominate representatives are going out to key groups.'
 

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