ACT POISED TO START REBUILDING PIERCES CREEK
IF COMMONWEALTH GIVES NOD

The ACT Government is poised to begin the rebuilding of Pierces Creek as early as November, allocating $170,000 in the 2005-06 Budget for preliminary planning work, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today.

All the Government is waiting for now is a nod from the Federal Government.

The ACT is currently negotiating with the National Capital Authority over the number of homes to be built at Pierces Creek.  The ACT Government firmly believes that the size of the settlement needs to be greater than the original 13 homes if the village is to be sustainable, but that decision rests with the NCA.  

“If the decision to rebuild Pierces Creek is made, and the planning process runs smoothly, construction of the settlement could begin in November,” Mr Stanhope said.

“Statutory planning processes for the other villages burnt out in the January 2003 bushfires, Stromlo Settlement and Uriarra Village, are now largely complete.”  

The $170,000 allocated in the Budget would be used to meet statutory planning requirements, including amending the National Capital Plan and the Territory Plan and conducting a water management analysis and environmental and contamination studies.

“This work will ensure that a rebuilt Pierces Creek benefits from excellence in design and an innovative approach to sustainability,” Mr Stanhope said.

“If we can reach an agreement with the National Capital Authority on the number of homes to be built, we will be able to get residents back in Pierces Creek as quickly as possible.

“This funding will allow the necessary planning to go ahead, with a view to beginning construction on all three rural villages within seven months.

“This means displaced villagers could be back in their homes by the end of 2006.”
Statement ends