Andrew Barr has announced that Canberra’s planning system isn’t up to approving an Early Childhood School so he’s calling it in:
I have used my call-in powers, as Acting Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, to approve the development which will see over 400 children benefitting from the new school.
The school includes a childcare centre for 120 children, a pre-school for 100 students and kindergarten to year 2 places for 189 students.
Any decision to use Ministerial powers to call-in a development application is never taken lightly, however I consider that it is in the interest of the community and the families of Gungahlin that the school be constructed in time for the 2013 school year.
It is essential there are no delays to this construction and my decision will allow work to commence on the site early in the new year.
The area, on Oodgeroo Street, is zoned as community facility, which allows a range of community activities, including schools and playing fields.
This development application includes the school, a small oval area and hard courts but, in the longer term, the site will eventually include more community facilities, a community park and urban open space.
As part of the approval conditions a new road will be constructed joining Gwen Meredith Loop with Marie Pitt Street along the edge of the Mulangarri Grasslands. This road will provide emergency service access to the grasslands and help protect the surrounding homes in the event of fire.