The ACT Greens heard overwhelming feedback from the Canberra community during public consultations that the Planning Bill needed improvement.
The ACT Greens took these concerns to our Labor colleagues and we have secured some good progress for the Canberra community.
"The Planning Bill, as tabled last year, didn't deliver the changes we need for the future of our city. The Government did not listen to feedback and concerns regarding the proposed legislation, and for this reason, Greens Ministers could not support it and stepped out of Cabinet on the issue," said Jo Clay, ACT Greens Spokesperson for Planning.
"We are pleased that the Government has agreed in part or whole to many changes recommended as part of review and inquiry process.
"In particular we are pleased that the Government has committed to developing a training package to assist staff to undertake their duties under the new legislation - this will be critical to ensuring good planning decisions are made.
"We're also pleased that they have agreed to strengthen wording within the Planning Act on housing affordability and climate resilience.
"The ACT Greens have been working with community and professionals to ensure that any new bill will deliver on the Canberra community's expectation that our planning system looks after our environment and delivers for people.
"The Canberra community wants and needs our city to be a climate-resilient city where every Canberran has a home.
"We need to ensure that our planning system protects greenspaces, biodiversity and ensures living infrastructure is prioritised to ensure our city remains liveable in a warming climate. We need to see meaningful measures to address housing affordability and political accountability for Territory Priority Projects.
"We've heard hundreds of comments from the community and have amplified these concerns with our colleagues.
"We understand that the decisions we make today will shape the future for people and our planet for generations to come, which is why it's so important that we listen and represent the broad range of views across the Canberra community.
"Despite the ACT Government's positive responses on a number of key issues, there are some key issues that remain unresolved and require further clarity. We will continue to work to resolve as many as we can and, where necessary, I will move amendments on behalf of the ACT Greens when the bill returns to the Assembly.
"For example, we think it is important that the Territory Priority Projects undergo 'sufficient community consultation' and that a decision maker turns their mind to this criteria. This was in the original version of the Planning Bill that went out for consultation.
"The community have also clearly stated a need to improve trust and transparency in the system and the decision-making process. We are happy that the government have committed to a governance review, but we need clarity around timeframes. We will seek any review to be independent, and that it's complete within a year of the bill passing.
"We are working through possible amendments ahead of the Bill coming back to the Legislative Assembly in June. The ACT Greens will continue to hold Government to account and represent the views of the Canberra community through our negotiations," said Ms Clay.
BACKGROUND
Government response to the Committee inquiry is here.
Previous ACT Greens media releases on 21 September 2022, 1 November 2022, 22 December 2022 and 30 March 2023 are linked.
