Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-05-13 Daily Xml

Contents

Ministerial Statement

PORT LINCOLN

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:22): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Port Lincoln City Council is currently undergoing a process to update the development plan for the city centre that includes the foreshore. Part of this process includes adopting height limits for developments along that foreshore. The key component of the DPA is the replacement of the city centre zone with a regional town centre zone, and the inclusion of four policy areas within that zone providing for height limits of three, five, seven and 12 storeys.

The DPA was placed on interim operation at the commencement of the consultation period in order to prevent development contrary to the intent of the development plan amendment during the consultation stage. It is going through an extensive consultation process, including the opportunity for public comment, and the council has now submitted the development plan amendment for my approval.

I have recently received separate letters from the council and from the mayor of Port Lincoln, Peter Davis. The mayor requests further community consultation on the DPA, especially in relation to building heights, although the letter from the council chief executive officer, Geoff Dodd, endorsed by the full council, requests consideration be given to approval of the DPA as presented. While most of the buildings on the foreshore are now two storeys or lower, there are currently no—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I did say most; that is the only new one. There are currently no height limits in the existing development plan for the city centre zone. Given the contradictory advice I have received from the council and the mayor, as well as community concerns reflected in a petition of 3,000 signatures opposed to the new height limits proposed in the development plan amendment, I have decided to refer the matter to the independent Development Policy Advisory Committee. I have informed DPAC of my decision, and it has advised that it will consider the matter at its 20 May meeting. If the members consider it appropriate, they may recommend holding a further meeting to hear public presentations. I trust that DPAC, through its deliberations, will be able to advise me on a suitable course of action. I await the committee's independent advice.