NCA's future decided

The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories has published its report on the future of the National Capital Authority.

The NCA is going to survive, but it’s getting an overhaul.

UPDATE: The ABC’s take on the story is online.

ANOTHER UPDATE: The Canberra Times has managed to throw up an AAP story on the subject.

Key recommendations include:

• That the National Capital Authority board consists of a Chairperson and seven members.
• That a minimum of two National Capital Authority board members be from the ACT region.
• That a person appointed as a National Capital Authority board member by the Commonwealth Government must have qualifications or expertise relevant to a field related to the Authority’s functions
• That the Chief Executive no longer have ex-officio status on the National Capital Authority board.
• That the appointment of Chief Executive should be made on recommendation of the National Capital Authority board and the Chief Executive be fully accountable to the board.
• That the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 be amended to require the Chairperson of the National Capital Authority to appear twice a year before the Joint Standing Committee for the National Capital and External Territories.
• That a National Capital Consultative Council be established. This Council would have representatives from the Commonwealth Government and the ACT Government, the community and business. The Council would be co-chaired by the responsible Minister and the ACT Chief Minister.
• That the Commonwealth Government establish the position of Commonwealth Architect within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
• That the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 be amended to require all draft amendments to the National Capital Plan and all proposed works (with the exception of de-minimus works) in the Parliamentary Zone to be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories for its consideration and report, if necessary, within three months.
• In the interest of improving uniformity between the two planning systems, the Development Assessment Forum model should be assessed by the National Capital Authority for its relevance and application to the National Capital Plan and a report provided to the Joint Standing Committee and Minister within three months from the date of the Government Response to this report.
• That existing relevant Commonwealth and Territory legislation be amended to protect the heritage of all Designated Areas in Canberra.
• That the role of the National Capital Authority be clarified to include promotion of the national cultural icons located in the Central National Area.
• That the National Capital Consultative Council prepare a domestic and international tourism and marketing plan for the national capital for consideration by both the ACT and Commonwealth Governments in their next respective budgets. In addition, the committee recommends that such a plan factor in the Centenary of Canberra celebrations in 2013.
• That the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government consult with the National Capital Authority to ensure that the Airport Master Plan and the major development plan is in line with the National Capital Plan.
• That the National Capital Consultative Council make recommendations to the Commonwealth Government for a policy to govern future locations of Commonwealth Government agencies in Canberra.
• That the Commonwealth and the ACT Government prepare a joint Sustainable Transport Plan which is recognised in both the National Capital Plan and the Territory Plan.
• That, as a possible interim measure to resolve duplication, the Commonwealth consider amendments to the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 to permit the National Capital Authority and ACT Planning and Land Authority to negotiate a memorandum of understanding to delegate the planning jurisdiction for Territory Land which has designated status under the National Capital Plan from the NCA to ACTPLA.
• ‘Special Requirements’ be removed from the National Capital Plan
• All areas of National Land previously subject to Special Requirements be converted to Designated Areas
• Any areas of Territory Land previously subject to ‘Special Requirements’ where the Commonwealth has a significant and enduring planning interest be converted to Designated Areas until a broader review of the National Capital Plan and Territory Plan is undertaken to assess whether such areas should be considered for
  future gazettal as National Land.
• The strategic goal of ecologically sustainable development should be embedded as a major principle in the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988.
• That the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 be amended to enshrine the policies and principles of national significance as described in the proposed National Capital Land Use Plan in a schedule of the Act, and that the proposed Implementation Strategy be included as a disallowable instrument.
• That the National Capital Authority and ACT Planning and Land Authority form a joint working group to achieve a single integrated document.
• That the National Capital Authority be resourced to participate in the working parties and reviews as required.
• That any draft amendment(s) to the National Capital Plan proposing uplift of Designated Areas and a formal geographic re-alignment of planning jurisdiction be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories for inquiry.
• That, in the interest of aligning the National Capital Authority’s planning system with the ACT’s, the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 be amended to include a provision for decisions on development applications made under the Act to be subject to review through the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
• That the Commonwealth provide resources to the National Capital Authority to continue the development of a cost effective three-dimensional integrated plan in digital format which is available online with the purpose of gaining efficiencies in planning and enhancing consultation.

So… Less political hacks, play nicer with others, and enshrine environmentalism. Anything I’ve missed?