Page 3200 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 10 November 2021
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Develop a strategy to attract business to be established in the Gungahlin town centre
The petition called upon Government to develop a strategy to encourage businesses to be established in the Gungahlin town centre. I am pleased to advise that the Government is in the process of developing an employment prospectus on the benefits of Gungahlin and the town centre to support further economic development in the region. This prospectus will be provided to the Commonwealth Finance Minister.
More broadly, I would also like to provide the following advice on a range of matters that Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) are progressing in and around the Gungahlin town centre:
• The 2020-21 Budget provided $0.3 million for improvements at Yerrabi Pond and $45 million to better connect Belconnen and Gungahlin.
• A route planning study to improve cycle connectivity in the Gungahlin Town Centre, and to invest in a sophisticated traffic model to identify future transport improvements in the Gungahlin region is being considered.
• As surface carparks are developed, TCCS makes sure that these locations deliver their development parking requirements as required by the Territory Plan.
• The ACT Government has an ambitious target to plant over 450,000 trees on public land over the next 25 years, which will include more trees for Gungahlin. More details are identified through the Urban Forest Strategy 2021-2045. Since 2018, Urban Treescapes have removed 7 dead or dying trees, and 13 new trees have been planted. 100 potential planting sites within the study area have been identified and 25 of these locations will receive a planting during spring 2021.
• In association with improvements including Light Rail and Hibberson Street upgrade, the town centre has seen the installation of more bins, street furniture, and active maintenance of garden beds and points of interest. The centre square playspace received new nature play elements, rubber soft fall, a birds nest swing and fencing.
• TCCS are committed to active maintenance and ongoing improvement through its regular servicing program, as well as identified capital works projects.
• Based on the community feedback on Yerrabi Ponds from the public consultation (April – June 2021), the ACT Government will further investigate improved paths, more facilities such as seating and bins, enhanced landscaping, better parking arrangements and amenities to bring the community together such as access to power for social events.
Community consultations about future land use
As reflected in the Government response to the resolutions of 10 February 2021 and 2 June 2021, the Government agrees that engagement with the community on the future of the town centre and on individual proposed developments is important.
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