Page 1653 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 June 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The issue of commercial space is a big one. All Gungahlin residents want to see thriving commercial spaces and employment opportunities. The original plans for Gungahlin included a large commonwealth department. However, the commonwealth have shown that they are prepared to move to Gungahlin, and it is not a large department, which I think is at the crux of most local residents’ frustration.
Let us be real. The commonwealth government, under the Liberal Party right now, has adopted a policy to appease the Nationals, who seek to move jobs from Canberra to regional Australia. Canberra needs to be fighting to save public service jobs. The prospectus in the motion is a noble idea, but it is quite clear where the ACT stands after the election commitments by the federal Liberals in previous elections. I do not think that that will be the solution for Gungahlin town centre.
When it comes to the plan of Gungahlin town centre, everyone is in agreement that the town centre should remain commercially zoned. It is a question of what type of commercial zoning.
Specific blocks have been highlighted in Mr Braddock’s original motion. I was pleased to see that two of the blocks were purchased by a registered training provider. I am glad that those sales were not blocked. These blocks are clearly not large-scale commercial opportunities that will provide countless jobs and shape the town centre. They face onto grassland and low-density housing. Blocking their sale or threatening to block their sale is not the solution here.
Further, DV364, which is a very topical issue, has nothing to do with the residential use of these blocks. Under the territory plan, these blocks already permit residential use on them. These sites in Gungahlin town centre have always been and will always be suitable for the vision of some housing. I know that; I think everyone knows that. To see an education provider bid is very welcome, nonetheless. The most obvious place for large commercial space is, of course, along the light rail route and closer to the existing town centre.
I want to touch upon a point of concern in the community right now, something that the Chief Minister spoke to at length. Most Gungahlin residents do not want to see more apartments in the town centre. Some cannot stand the sight of apartment buildings and view the lifestyle of those who live in apartments as inherently lacklustre. But apartments provide homes, overwhelmingly at the more affordable end of the market, and provide people with the opportunity to live closer to town centre amenities.
There is something very revealing about a person when they start coming up with reasons why their neighbourhood cannot grow anymore. Seemingly, their neighbourhood was just the perfect size when they moved in. But I am sympathetic to the view that existing residents see land as a zero sum that could deprive them of an amenity for lack of space.
Residents of Gungahlin want to see more retail space, they want more commercial space, and they want more hospitality venues. As a government, we must work to
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video