❓ A parliamentary question regarding the sale of land at Melville Primary School and its impact on public open space, with the Minister defending the decision by highlighting benefits for students and shifting responsibility to local government.
AnsweredQoN 887Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the minister aware that, despite his claims about public open space requirements being the responsibility of local government, under the Town Planning and Development Act, section 20(a), and Western Australian Planning Commission policy, it is required that 10 per cent of open space be given to the Crown free of cost as a condition of any subdivision? (2) If so, is the minister aware that in the suburb of Melville there is already a serious deficiency of some 11.5 hectares of public open space and that the Government is failing to meet its responsibilities to the local community? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that by selling off four hectares of Melville Primary School land the residents of Melville will be further deprived of public open space? (4) Will the minister reconsider his decision to sell the land and agree to hand it back to the people of Melville without cost? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(2) If so, is the minister aware that in the suburb of Melville there is already a serious deficiency of some 11.5 hectares of public open space and that the Government is failing to meet its responsibilities to the local community? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that by selling off four hectares of Melville Primary School land the residents of Melville will be further deprived of public open space? (4) Will the minister reconsider his decision to sell the land and agree to hand it back to the people of Melville without cost? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(3) Does the minister acknowledge that by selling off four hectares of Melville Primary School land the residents of Melville will be further deprived of public open space? (4) Will the minister reconsider his decision to sell the land and agree to hand it back to the people of Melville without cost? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(4) Will the minister reconsider his decision to sell the land and agree to hand it back to the people of Melville without cost? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(2) If so, is the minister aware that in the suburb of Melville there is already a serious deficiency of some 11.5 hectares of public open space and that the Government is failing to meet its responsibilities to the local community? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that by selling off four hectares of Melville Primary School land the residents of Melville will be further deprived of public open space? (4) Will the minister reconsider his decision to sell the land and agree to hand it back to the people of Melville without cost? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(3) Does the minister acknowledge that by selling off four hectares of Melville Primary School land the residents of Melville will be further deprived of public open space? (4) Will the minister reconsider his decision to sell the land and agree to hand it back to the people of Melville without cost? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(4) Will the minister reconsider his decision to sell the land and agree to hand it back to the people of Melville without cost? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
I thank the member for the question. Parts of it probably should have been directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, but I take the point she has made. I will be brief. I live in Melville, as opposed to the member. I live very close to this location, as opposed to the member. I make very frequent trips to the school, as opposed to the member. I am very, very familiar with this area. (1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(1) The minimum that will be provided for open space is 10 per cent. (2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(2) This is an issue for the City of Melville. The Melville Primary School land is not properly public open space; it is Department of Education and Training land set aside for Department of Education and Training uses, and for the first time under the plan that will be put in place children will be able to get access to and regular use of the school ovals. At the moment they cannot; they are deprived of the use of the ovals. The decision is right. The Melville City Council, as I have said before, is welcome to enter into negotiations with the Department of Education and Training about the percentage of public open space and, if it wants to purchase land for the provision of more public open space, it may. (3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(3) No. (4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
(4) No. I will not change my mind; the decision is made and it is the right decision. As other people who have held this position know, there is always controversy about this sort of development. The last thing a Minister for Education and Training should do is give in to the noisiest lobby. The decision should be made based on the facts and in the best interests of the children; and this decision is in the best interests of the children.
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