Commonwealth to knock down the ACT planning powers?

I know how there can be no further conflicts between the NCA and the ACT Government!

1) Abolish the NCA.
2) Return the ACT back to Commonwealth Government control.

SIMPLE

Remember who caused the debacle out at the airport: the Commonwealth. Our local gov’t was left to carry the can, mop up the mess and pay out squillions. That road flowed fine before the flogged the airport to a private owner who was not subject to any planning laws.

Neither ACTPLA (nor the old PALM) or NCA are innocent in the planning wars that have been going on for many years. The NCA made some arbitrary decisions, just to piss off the ACT govt, for example the rehabilitation of rural communities after the bushfires.

ACTPLA have deliberately provoked the Feds every opportunity when the two govts were of different persuasions.

I think the better solution is to work toward having a single planning instrument, and some way in which the two bodies work collaboratively on issues that affect national land.

I also believe that, contrary to Yeah above, that the NCA sphere of influence should be reduced but that’s its powers over that reduced area need to be bolstered.

The really stupid thing is that what Canberrans want is completely immaterial – it comes down to turf-protection and who is able to wield the most power. Soundly-based planning decisions, based on proper evidence, will never be paramount to either side.

I would like to see that happen.

I’m just guessing, but you’ll probably see a return of funding for the planning bit at least.

The ABC article and JB’s comments leave me a bit confused – remove NCA funding but let it continue to plan, and even expand its planning powers?

I for one will not groan too loudly if the NCA doesn’t give away it’s planning powers to the ACT. Infact, I think it should have more powers and cover a greater area of Canberra.

I always get a bit nostalgic when I see an old NCDC sign from the ’80s, rusting away on the side of some once-designated paddock in the Canberra suburbs, far far away from the what is now the only centrally controlled part of Canberra, the leafy parklands, monuments and terraces around the LBG.