Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 8 Hansard (19 August) . . Page.. 2736 ..

MRS DUNNE (continuing):

The thrust of the draft variation is consistent with the group centre's draft variation No 158, which was adopted into the Territory Plan on 13 June 2002. The intent of draft variation No 158 was to increase opportunities for all group centres in Canberra to expand or accommodate new retail developments, including supermarkets.

As articulated on page 4 of the July 2002 edition of the Jamison group centre master plan, the land use policy has been framed to:

make flexible provision for a wide range of shopping, community, recreation and business facilities serving predominantly the surrounding and nearby suburbs;

provide opportunities for specialist commercial activities and other facilities serving the ACT market more generally, as well as medium and high-density residential development;

support a competitive and sustainable retail sector within the ACT, which can respond effectively to changing circumstances;

encourage investment and local employment opportunities;

ensure convenient access to centres, quality development of an appropriate scale and character and enhanced environmental amenity;

capitalise on the distinctive qualities of potential individual centres; and

promote an efficient urban infrastructure.

While the committee has recommended the adoption of draft variation 202, mainly because, after 30 years of establishment, the Jamison Centre will be afforded some rejuvenation and will be able to respond to the changes in retail sectors and residential development needs, the draft variation was not explicit about the extent of, or intended, effects on adjacent and surrounding areas. Nor did it address the transport issues related to traffic and safety for the centre and surrounding areas, in particular the impacts that might flow from the construction of access to Halloran Close and Wiseman Street and access from Belconnen Way.

The committee is hopeful that the adoption of draft variation 202 will lead to improvements in residential amenity for the general catchment areas of suburbs such as Macquarie, Cook, Bruce, Aranda, Weetangera, Emu Ridge and Page; the student population of the nearby University of Canberra; and the people who attend the weekly Sunday morning Rotary trash and treasure market.

The committee is hopeful that the government in its response to the Assembly will make explicit the impacts on immediate and adjacent areas. I move:

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Report No 21

MRS DUNNE (10.53): This is report No 21, and there is more to come, Mr Speaker. I present the following report:

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .