Andrew Barr has announced that he’s not willing to leave the development application for the Canberra Hospital’s planned 9 storey car park at the un-tender mercies of the ACT’s planning process and he’s bringing it in for his own perusal.
Interestingly he’s made this move at Katy Gallagher’s request.
- Under Section 159 of the Planning and Development Act 2007, the Minister may direct the Planning and Land Authority to cease work on an assessment and call all relevant documents possessed by the Authority into the Minister’s office for consideration by the Minister.
The Minister may do so in any of the following circumstances:
• Where the application raises a major policy issue
• Where the application seeks approval for a development that may have a substantial effect on the achievement or development of the object of the Territory Plan as set out in the Statement of Strategic directions and objectives for each zone to which the application relates
• Where the approval or refusal of the application would provide a substantial public benefit.
“I believe the applications meet the criteria under the Act, especially considering this car park could have enormous benefit for all who use the hospital and that it could considerably reduce parking congestion in neighbourhood streets immediately around the hospital,” Mr Barr said.
“While a call-in does not mean I have made a decision, it provides me as Minister with the chance to examine all the appropriate documentation and make the final decision. I will make my decision in coming days.”