PLANNING
REFORM
404. Ms M.J. HAMMAT to the Minister for Planning:
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's efforts to drive greater
investment in our economy that will support local jobs and local businesses. Can the minister
outline to the house what this government's efforts to cut red tape and
support our economic recovery through
the state development assessment unit has meant for local workers and
businesses; and can the minister advise the house whether she is aware of
anyone who opposes these efforts to support local jobs?
Ms R.
SAFFIOTI replied:
I thank the member for Mirrabooka
for that question. Last year we introduced a number of reforms to help deliver
economic recovery to this state. A number of reforms were implemented,
including the new streamlined pathway. That was aimed at creating more
investment certainty to ensure that we have better designed buildings and, of course, to ensure that we have a pipeline of work
to allow us to get out of any potential economic turmoil the state might
face. So far, 12 developments have been approved, representing $375 million in
total investment and 2 000 construction and ongoing jobs.
I was there with the member for
South Perth at the sod turning for the first project delivered under the new
pathway, at 8 Parker Street in the good
Labor stronghold of South Perth! It was great to see the local landowners
involved in getting that project up,
and I am so glad that we are delivering it. Since July, more than 70 applicants
have expressed interest in accessing the pathway, and another 12
developments are now under consideration, worth more than $1 billion and
thousands of new jobs.
Projects
that have been approved include the State Football Centre in Queens Park,
Minister for Sport and Recreation; residential aged-care facilities; the
wharf extension at Henderson; student accommodation; multistorey apartment
buildings; and, of course, regional projects such as the liquefied natural gas
plant in Mt Magnet and a shopping centre in Dawesville.
This is all about making sure our
economic recovery continues, because it does not stop today; it continues, and we need a pipeline of work, whether it be civil,
construction or business investment across the state. The Liberal Party
argued that this new pathway should finish today. The Liberal Party believes
that the economic recovery needs to finish now—that we can all wipe our
hands and go home. The economic recovery has to continue. We need to continue a
pipeline of projects throughout the state to ensure we continue to provide job
opportunities and create economic opportunities.
Yesterday,
the member for Cottesloe argued for public housing. This is the member who
opposes every development across the state. He opposes
multimillion-dollar apartments because they have a street frontage of 21.2
metres and not 21 metres. This is what the member for Cottesloe does—he
opposes every development. To deliver social and other housing, we need construction and development approvals, and that
is what we will continue to do. Yesterday, the member argued that he
wanted more public housing in Cottesloe. Does the member still subscribe to
that?
Dr D.J. Honey interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: Whereabouts,
member?
Dr D.J. Honey: The southern
part of Mosman Park is perfect for redevelopment.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: The member
said the southern part of Mosman Park. Does the member want additional public
housing?
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: I am glad to
hear that, because we are implementing new housing opportunities across the
state, across the suburbs, and we will continue our economic recovery and
creating jobs. We are not listening to Liberal
Party members—economic vandals who believe economic recovery has
finished. That is what they believe—''Scrap the pathway.
Let's all go home; economic recovery is finished.'' We know it
has not. We need to continue to create jobs and opportunities for the entirety
of Western Australia.