Thursday, 28 November 2024

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (14:12): (1307) My question is for the Minister for Planning, and it concerns the high-rise, high-density skyscraper zones that are proposed in 10 locations, at least, in our suburbs and also the 25 activity zones that have been nominated now – no doubt 25 more to go. I draw attention particularly to the petition that has been tabled in this Parliament. Approaching 4000 people have signed that petition against these zones, calling for a pause on those. The minister replied this week to the petition. The sad thing is that the response by the minister raises many more questions than it answers, and it is very unclear what will trump what where the minister has said they will allow as-of-right development of 20 storeys in the centre and six storeys in the walkable catchment area. So my question to the minister is: will the minister guarantee that the planning amendments that are implemented by Labor for its high-rise, high-density skyscraper zones will not dilute, weaken or diminish the effectiveness of heritage protection and that the heritage protections will trump absolutely the new density zones and the new rules? It is a case of: will it be the density or will it be the high rise?