Page 3028 - Week 10 - Friday, 8 October 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
that this is an important principle for the Molonglo group centre. Unfortunately, this results in changes to some of the planning work and community consultation that needs to be done.
What it means is that refinement—and therefore time—is needed for further strategic planning and community consultation. If the land were to be released this year, as originally intended, it would be a piecemeal approach with individual blocks released—exactly the problem Mrs Jones pointed out in her speech! We want to avoid that. This would not provide good place-making outcomes.
A holistic approach is needed to provide coordinated development and delivery that meets the community’s needs well into the future. While I reiterate that I understand the community’s frustration and dismay about the delayed time frames, I am confident the end result will be a positive one for the community.
For too long, we have all seen the impacts of the lack of suitable shops in Molonglo Valley. The pressure this has placed on services and facilities in Weston Creek—at Cooleman Court in particular—is of ongoing concern for Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley residents. Local shopping centres do much more than just provide a point of convenience and services; they are often the heart and the hub of the community—a place to meet, a place of social cohesion and connection.
It is great to see the IGA and other shops and businesses up and running at Denman Prospect. Construction has recently commenced on the private Koko development, which is anticipated to house a mid-sized or Metro Woolworths of 1,500 square metres. This has been approved through the development processes, and it is anticipated that it will open late 2022. The building has literally just popped out of the ground in the last couple of weeks and is an encouraging sight to see. A second development application for the same site that includes a second supermarket is currently awaiting approval.
As part of the ACT government’s 2021-22 budget commitment, land release to enable local shop development in Whitlam is planned for this financial year. This means shops at Whitlam could open around 2023. In the interim, the Suburban Land Agency has established the Heartbeat Cafe in Whitlam to provide early residents with access to local facilities, and in recognition of the importance of a meeting and gathering place for new residents in their suburbs. This means that within the next few years, Molonglo Valley will be better served by shops and services while we work closely with the community to develop plans for the group centre.
I remain committed to ensuring adequate and appropriate shopping facilities for the people in my community—the residents of Murrumbidgee. I will continue to be a strong advocate and to do everything within my ability to ensure a favourable outcome. I will remain engaged in the various aspects of the group centre’s planning, community consultation, land release and subsequent delivery to ensure the best possible outcome for the community.
In particular, I wish to ensure that community consultation is undertaken in a meaningful way and that community voices are heard and incorporated into the final
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video