By: Peter Cain MLA & James Milligan MLA
Canberra Liberals Member for Ginninderra Peter Cain says ACT Planning Minister Chris Steel’s credibility is in tatters after his own latest “deadline” for the abandoned Hawker Tennis Centre passed without a Development Application being lodged.
Minister Steel confirmed in writing in August this year that the leaseholder had been given another extension, the third, “until end of September 2026” to lodge a new DA.
Access Canberra has today confirmed in writing to Mr Cain that “there has been no recent DA lodged” for the site.
It is the latest deadline in an ACT Labor Government compliance saga stretching back months.
A Show Cause Notice was issued in February, an “urgent” new DA was promised in March, and two previous DAs have already expired without development commencing.
“How many chances does Chris Steel give one developer?” Mr Cain said.
“Two DAs expired without a shovel hitting the ground. Show Cause in February. An ‘urgent’ DA in March. Then Chris Steel personally gave them until the end of September.
“September is over. Still no DA.
“Why have a Crown lease with conditions if the Planning Minister won’t enforce them?
“Every time a deadline is missed, Chris Steel’s response seems to be more time. The developer has called his bluff again.
“A Minister can only make so many threats without following through before people stop taking his word seriously.
“Chris Steel’s problem is no longer that the developer won’t meet his deadlines. It’s that nobody appears to believe there is a consequence for ignoring him.”
Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Milligan, added “This is another example of the Government dropping the ball when it comes to providing places for Canberra to participate in sport”.