Minister Barr: Government safeguards Canberra jobs through planning reforms
- Written by ACT Government
Released 13/08/2015
Joint Media Release: Chief Minister and Mick Gentleman MLA
Thousands of jobs will be created and billions of dollars in investment will flow to the ACT thanks to planning reforms which will allow new development at the University of Canberra and major transport infrastructure. The Canberra Liberals attempted to block Territory Plan Variations 327 and 347 in the Assembly today, putting 3500 jobs from the construction of light rail and hundreds more jobs at the University of Canberra at risk. The Government stepped in to vote down a disallowance motion and save thousands of jobs. Just like the Tony Abbott Liberals, the Canberra Liberals are Canberra Bashers. They are playing politics with jobs and infrastructure. Even their own party has accused them of economic lunacy. Independent modelling estimates 3500 jobs will flow from the construction of the first phase of Capital Metro and hundreds more will be created at the University of Canberra each year through campus development. Independent modelling also estimates a billion dollars in benefits to the community from the first phase of Capital Metro and more than a billion dollars in investment in the territory from the University of Canberra development. Minister for Planning Mick Gentleman said there had been comprehensive community consultation over both variations. Minister Gentleman said: “I thank the community for taking advantage of opportunities to have their say on these changes and helping improve the final result. “The Government has ensured safeguards for the community continue for any proposed development with a development application still being required on both variations. “These changes have already been subject to a very high level of scrutiny. There is no justification for what the Liberals attempted to do today. It was more economic lunacy from the Canberra Liberals and opposition for opposition’s sake.” The approved variations are available at www.planning.act.gov.au
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
