Canberra Liberals MLA Peter Cain is demanding the ACT Government take action over the unused Hawker Tennis Centre after its leaseholder was given until the end of September to lodge another development application.

Planning Minister Chris Steel confirmed the extension in an August 26 letter to Mr Cain, six months after Access Canberra issued the leaseholder with a Show Cause Notice over the site’s failure to operate for its required Crown lease purpose as a tennis centre.

Mr Cain said the government had identified the breach and had enforcement options available but was yet to make a decision.

“At what point does the Government actually enforce its own rules?” he said.

Mr Steel said the leaseholder had responded to the February notice within the required timeframe and had since cleaned and maintained the block.

An Access Canberra inspection on June 4 found fencing had been installed around the site, while the leaseholder had engaged a contractor to conduct regular inspections and maintenance.

Two previous development applications seeking to vary the lease to allow a childcare facility have expired without development starting.

Mr Steel said the leaseholder had now engaged a certifier and consultant to prepare a new application and had been given until the end of September to lodge it.

Mr Cain said cleaning and securing the site did not resolve the underlying issue that the land was not being used for its required Crown lease purpose.

Access Canberra will continue monitoring the site and liaising with the leaseholder over compliance.

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