Light rail corridor fast track laws defended by ACT Government
Proposed legislation designed to fast track elements of Canberra's light rail project has been defended by the ACT Government.
A bill to be debated in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Tuesday would largely exempt Capital Metro-related construction, within one kilometre of the rail corridor, from normal planning laws and review.
But Capital Metro Minister Simon Corbell played down the power the laws would give authorities, while speaking with 666 ABC Canberra's Philip Clark.
Mr Corbell said along Northbourne Avenue where most of the light rail construction would take place, the National Capital Authority (NCA) was in charge of approving works - and historically it had never allowed third party review of its decisions.
Mr Corbell said the Government was simply proposing the same approach be applied for certain nearby parcels of land outside the control of the NCA.
"That's largely Flemington Road and areas immediately adjacent to Northbourne Avenue," he said.
"That would make sure that when it comes to light rail infrastructure itself ... a consistent approach [would be followed] in the same way that already applied for NCA approval."
Mr Corbell said the bill was very specifically about light rail associated infrastructure and did not apply to re-development, for example, residential use.
"They (the laws) do not apply to proposals for redevelopment of buildings or blocks of land," he said.
Under the laws the ACT Government would not have to consult the Conservator of Flora and Fauna, ACT Heritage Council or Environmental Protection Agency.
But Mr Corbell said these bodies were not decision makers anyway.
"They simply provide advice as referral agencies and the ultimate decision rests now with the planning and land authority," he said.
"This is a project which has already been subject to extensive consultation, so it's not as though these issues are a surprise or coming out of the blue.
"This about making sure we can proceed in a timely and certain manner in relation to this very important infrastructure project."
