EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT 73 OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL PLAN
BLOCK 6 SECTION 4 YARRALUMLA (WESTRIDGE HOUSE)
Section 6 of the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 (the Act) provides that the National Capital Authority (the NCA) is responsible, among other things, for preparing and administering the National Capital Plan (the Plan), for keeping the Plan under constant review and for proposing amendments to it when necessary. Amendment 73 of the Plan – Block 6 Section 4 Yarralumla (Westridge House), has been prepared in accordance with sections 14 to 22 of the Act.
The Hon Simon Crean MP, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, approved Amendment 73 on 21 October 2011, in accordance with section 19 of the Act.
The Amendment is being laid before both Houses of Parliament as a disallowable instrument in accordance with the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. If either House, in pursuance of a motion of which notice has been given within 15 sitting days after the Amendment has been laid before that House, passes a resolution disallowing the Amendment, or part of the Amendment, the Amendment or part so disallowed ceases to have effect.
The Amendment changes the land use policy of Block 6 Section 4 Yarralumla from ‘Community Facility’ to ‘Single Dwelling Housing’ to allow the property to be utilised as a private residence. A definition of ‘Single Dwelling Housing’ has been added to the Plan.
Draft Amendment 73 (DA73) was advertised for consultation in The Canberra Times and The Australian on Saturday 12 March 2011, and in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on Wednesday 16 March 2011. The consultation period ended on 27 April 2011.
The NCA received seven written submissions on DA73, in addition to four comments received online via the NCA’s public consultation website. Following a review of submissions and comments, no changes were made to DA73 as publicly exhibited.
DA73 was formally referred to the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA) on 15 March 2011. On 28 April 2011, ACTPLA confirmed it supported the amendment.
The Office of Best Practice Regulation advised a Regulation Impact Statement or a Business Cost Calculator report is not required.
On 5 April 2011, the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government referred DA73 to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories (JSC) for their information.