The Liberals’ Alistair Coe has announced a doomed run at de-railing Draft Variation 306 because he wants poor people to live in darkness.
Shadow Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Alistair Coe will today try to block Draft Variation 306 which has been widely condemned by the building industry. The Government’s changes to the planning rules will result in additional costs and sub-standard building outcomes as a result of heavy-handed, ideologically driven rules that will massively impact all new and existing homes.
“Peak groups such as the Housing Industry Association, Master Builders Association, Planning Institute, Property Council, Institute of Architects and Institute of Landscape Architects have all expressed their serious concerns with the implementation of the Variation,” said Mr Coe.
“Whilst there may be positive aspects to the Variation, on balance, the changes are destructive and do not fufill the intentions of the policy.”
Significant issues that will affect Canberrans in further developing or extending on their own property include:
— A building cannot over-shadow their neighbour by more than a 1.8 metre fence (as of the winter solstice) – this is made very difficult on sloped blocks where shadows extend further.
— The ‘wedding cake’ effect whereby the second-storey of a house is a much smaller floor space than the lower floor so that the shadow does not extend beyond the shadow created by the ground floor.
— If a house is extended by more than 25%, then at least one 2000 litre water tank must be installed and connected to a toilet, laundry, cold water tap or external tap.
It seems unlikely Shane Rattenbury will join him in this effort so really it’s symbolic kicking of heels in a tantrum for the benefit of builders who’d prefer to be able to throw up any old crap and sell it for half a million.
* A war-nerd joke about the Death Ride of the Battlecruisers at the Battle of Jutland
UPDATE: The ABC reports on the predictable end of Alistair’s efforts.
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