Page 81 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 8 February 2022
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Draft variation 364 was prepared to implement the recommendations of the Gungahlin town centre planning refresh snapshot 2018. The snapshot was in response to community concerns about building height and character, public spaces and active travel and roads. The changes promote high-quality design outcomes as the centre continues to develop. No zoning changes are proposed through the draft variation. The ACT government has a vision for the Gungahlin town centre as a place where people can live, work, study and engage in recreational activities. The planning controls contained in draft variation 364 will facilitate a centre with commercial, community, employment and residential opportunities. Green spaces and active streets and economic activity will create a vibrant centre during the daytime, and a night-time economy. The vision for the Gungahlin town centre will be realised through a suite of policies, including planning settings, the land release program and private sector investment.
The ACT government is the largest employer in the Gungahlin town centre. The government will continue to invest in the town centre through employment and the provision of community facilities.
I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Planning, Transport and City Services for its thorough inquiry and report into DV364. The committee made eight recommendations in its report No 5, which was released in September 2021. Many of the recommendations of the committee relate to achieving a vibrant, diverse and active mixed-use centre with greater employment within the Gungahlin town centre. The ACT government supports these outcomes and has considered and responded to the recommendations of the standing committee report. Three of the recommendations are agreed, and the remaining five recommendations are agreed in principle.
The government agrees in principle to recommendation 1. This recommendation relates to the government undertaking an analysis of different types of commercial activity that could be undertaken in the Gungahlin town centre and that this information be used to inform future land releases. This recommendation is agreed in principle. In response to this recommendation, the ACT government will undertake an assessment of the commercial market potential. This assessment will consider economic and market factors and will be used to identify potential additional commercial use in the town centre. The detail of the types of commercial activity that can be achieved will be delivered through the land sales process rather than planning controls.
Additionally, the ACT government has already committed to undertaking consultation and planning to develop a precinct planning approach to future land sales in the town centre. We will look at the blocks along Flemington Road, to the east of the town centre, to achieve an appropriate best practice mix and integration of uses. The planning will also take into account public spaces so that we can have vibrant streets and the buildings integrate with Linear Park.
The community and recreational facilities needs assessment for the district of Gungahlin is nearly complete and will identify current and future demand and gaps for community facilities. This assessment will inform the government strategy and
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