Having this morning had the news that logging was about to kick off for the Majura Parkway it’s a relief to hear Simon Corbell has called in the proposal (bypassing endless objections by the inevitable objectors).
(Which does rather make one wonder what the planning process is for)
“The Majura Parkway project is a vital project which will provide for the efficient operation of Canberra’s arterial road network and which will also deliver long-term economic benefits to the Territory,” Mr Corbell said.
“For these reasons I have decided to call-in the project and grant it development approval to ensure the proposal can proceed without delay and deliver these substantial public benefits to the broader community.”
“The ACT Government has allocated $144m to the project which has been matched by the Commonwealth Government due to its importance as an interstate freight route for the Capital Region. When constructed it is estimated the project will deliver economic benefits worth $1 Billion.”
The project will see a new 11.5km, dual carriageway road constructed linking the Federal Highway in Canberra’s north to the Monaro Highway in Canberra’s south.
UPDATE 13/07/12 14:58: The Greens are spitting chips:
“This Minister seems obsessed with using call-in powers, and putting politics into the planning system,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“One has to wonder: If the Minister had any faith in the Government’s own planning system, why does he constantly circumvent it?
“Does Simon Corbell believe in merits review for projects? Or does he believe there should be no community appeals, no environmental checks and balances and just development on his say so?
“Prioritising a project that builds a freeway for trucks* through Majura Valley demonstrates the Minister, supposedly for ‘Sustainable Development’, remains committed to debunked 1960s planning principles, rather than actual sustainable development.
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