[Greens-Media] Airport needs planning control

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT GREENS MLA DEB FOSKEY MEDIA RELEASE
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27  Feb 2008


Airport needs planning control 

On the day that submissions close on Canberra Airport's Master Plan, ACT
Greens MLA Deb Foskey called on Chief Minister Stanhope to press his
federal colleagues to impose planning controls, as well as a curfew,
over the Canberra Airport.

"Of course, Canberra needs an efficient, functioning airport. However,
Canberra Airport is growing at a rate which is more about profitable
returns to the leaseholder than servicing the interests of Canberra," Dr
Foskey said today.

 "I am aware that the Airport complies with the National Capital Plan,
despite changes to Commonwealth law which means it is no longer obliged
to do so."

"But recent cuts to the National Capital Authority (NCA) which
administers the Plan means that the oversight and planning guidance that
the NCA once offered is no longer available."

"In any event, most Canberra people would like the Canberra Airport to
meet local planning controls as well."

"I know the ACT Government has expressed concerns about the impact
across Canberra of the Airport Development."  

"In answer to a question from me in the last sitting week the Chief
Minister advised the Assembly that he was unable to influence the
airport as a result of 'decisions taken by the Howard Liberal
Government'."

"The government has now changed."

 "I am urging the ACT Chief Minister to ask his Federal Labor
colleagues, perhaps in compensation for the cuts to the NCA, to require
development at the Canberra Airport to conform to the ACT's Territory
Plan and the National Capital Plan".

"That way we might get an airport that continues to be an economic
powerhouse while contributing positively to the orderly development of
our city" Dr Foskey said.



================================
Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
==== www.act.greens.org.au ===== 
  
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