RECEIVE UPDATESMEDIA RELEASE | Social housing rushed through
ACT Greens Planning Spokesperson, Caroline Le Couteur MLA today announced that the Greens will support the Government’s Planning Regulation to expedite the approval process for Federal Stimulus Package social housing projects.
“The ACT Greens welcome this immediate and substantial investment in much-needed social housing across Canberra.” Ms Le Couteur said today.
“But we are concerned that existing ACT planning processes have been compromised due to the Rudd Government’s haste to get building started.”
“This rushed timeframe suggests that this Stimulus Package is also a Rudd Government re-election package. That explains why most of the housing has to be completed by the end of next year.”
“It is particularly troubling that the package is structured so that a delay in any component can put other components at risk.”
“The Rudd government is holding the states and territories over a barrel by imposing restrictive timelines, with the result that third party appeal rights will not apply to any of these projects.”
“The Greens proposed a more streamlined objection process to the ACT Government earlier in the year, but not enough progress was made on that proposal and – to be blunt – we have now run out of time.”
“This social housing investment is a vital one off opportunity which we can’t afford to put at risk.”
Neighbours of proposed developments will still be notified of the proposal and will be able to comment as normal. However they will not be able to appeal ACTPLA’s decision in the Administrative Civil Appeals Tribunal.
“We have ensured ACTPLA’s internal review panel will include an external social planner to provide better oversight of the potential physical and social impact of these developments.” Ms Le Couteur said.
“All developments will still have to conform to the Territory Plan. At the end of the day, it is the ACT government which will be held to account in regards to the quality of these developments.”
