The ACT is negotiating on a much smaller quantity of CSIRO land in Canberra’s north than previously thought.
Homes and New Suburbs Minister Yvette Berry revealed in question time last Thursday (18 September) that the ACT Government was only trying to acquire the 240-hectare eastern portion of the 700-hectare CSIRO Ginninderra site.
It had been assumed by everyone from industry down that the ACT was negotiating on the acquisition of the entire site, not a little more than a third, raising expectations from property and community stakeholders of a housing windfall.
Both the Commonwealth and the ACT Government had done nothing to dispel this notion until now.
Mr Emerson, who has criticised the ACT Government for not yet developing a business case for the land, said the government needed to move quickly on multiple fronts simultaneously to address the housing shortage.
He said the full 701-hectare site had space for up to 8100 dwellings, which is more than a quarter of the ACT Government’s target of 30,000 homes by 2030.
“This is a great location that’s close to two town centres. It’s incredibly disappointing to learn that the government is settling for under 3000 new homes, and couldn’t commit to getting this deal done before the end of the year,” Mr Emerson said.
“Canberrans facing homelessness and housing insecurity need both levels of government to show greater urgency in tackling the housing crisis.”
Read the article here: https://region.com.au/csiro-land-shock-act-will-acquire-460-ha-less-than-expected/906569/#comments