Page 3246 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 18 October 2022

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Land planned for the release at the Kippax group centre will provide for a mixed used development to the east of the centre, bringing additional jobs, services, housing and economic activity to the area. Funding in the 2022-23 financial year will deliver the construction of playing fields and associated infrastructure on the corner of Moye’s Crescent and Starke Street in Holt to replace those currently on the development site, and the detailed design of the skate facility and community hub, including consultation with the community. This work is underpinned by the community consultation undertaken from 2014 through to 2019.

The place plan for section 76 in Watson identified the location and need for a local community park. The ongoing development of the design is based on what we heard from the community in 2021 and ongoing consultation with the Ngunnawal community, including for artwork design and the potential delivery of artwork by Ngunnawal artists. Construction of the park is anticipated to commence in early 2023 and be completed in the middle of that year.

Through the 2022-23 budget, the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate is continuing to work on the ACT Planning System Review and Reform Project. The Planning Bill 2022 was introduced into the Assembly in September this year. From the bill flows new draft district strategies and the new draft Territory Plan, with draft district policies and draft technical specifications.

Also forming important elements of our planning reform work are the updated city plan and design guides on urban and public realm design. We will continue to work with and listen to the community so that the voices of those in the community who are often not heard are included, and so that we capture views to inform how we plan and deliver a city that meets their needs.

The implementation of key elements of the reform package will enable the community, government agencies, planners, designers and developers, and a range of stakeholders, to engage more effectively with the new planning system—supporting them to engage with the development of a healthy, built environment and with innovation, so that the ACT remains an attractive investment destination.

While planning and land release continues, the government is looking to where Canberra can grow into the future. The 2018 ACT planning strategy identifies the western edge of Canberra—that is, land to the west of the Molonglo Valley, including land generally bordered by the Murrumbidgee. The existing urban areas of Belconnen, Molonglo Valley, Weston Creek and Kambah are areas being considered for future conservation, development and continuing rural uses.

We are in the early phases of the project, which will continue for many years, if not a decade or more. At this stage, we do not know whether land use change or development will be feasible in parts of this area, or where it will be. That is why the work is being undertaken. Preliminary investigations have told us where we need to focus, the information gaps and further studies that are needed.

Studies are being undertaken this financial year and are already underway to determine the suitability of the western edge, including ecological habitat surveys and


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