Page 1688 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 3 May 2005
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Planning and Environment—Standing Committee—Report 6—Draft Variation to the Territory Plan No 237—Deakin Section 12 Blocks 9, 13 and 19 Embassy Motel Redevelopment—Proposed Residential Use, dated May 2005, together with a copy of the extracts of the relevant minutes of proceedings.
I move:
That the report be noted.
The Standing Committee on Planning and Environment considered draft variation 237 at meetings on 11 and 27 January, 11 and 31 March and 12 and 19 April and has recommended this variation be noted, after much consultation with members of the community, officials from ACT Planning and Land Authority and several other relevant stakeholders. Block 9 section 12 Deakin is currently the site of the Embassy Motel. Block 13 is a narrow strip of land on the western boundary of the site currently used as a car park, and block 19 is an embankment. After lengthy consultation, submissions from concerned stakeholders and site visits, the committee has recommended that the draft variation of the territory plan DV237 be noted, with some minor variations.
Although the committee does recognise the change of land use policy with a B15 area specific policy overlay, there are concerns about the height of the current proposed development. With the current landscape along Adelaide Avenue being that mainly of two storeys, the committee is recommending that the development go ahead, with a height restriction of generally no higher than three to five storeys. The committee is of the view that seven storeys, as proposed in the current development plans, would be out of character with the surrounding landscape.
The committee also recommends that the landscaping plan should be consistent with the landmark development of block 19. These would include private courtyards so that the visual impact is not diminished by poor courtyard landscaping.
There were some major concerns for the traffic implications in this area. However, the committee considers that any possible added congestion would be in line with the Canberra spatial plan and the sustainable transport plan to intensify residential development within a 7.5 kilometre radius of Civic. It is also recommended that Roads ACT should assess whether additional traffic calming measures are necessary or desirable in the area.
The committee also recommends that the minister encourage ACTPLA and the local community organisations, such as Pedal Power, to run educational campaigns in the local community and encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking, and discourage private car use. The travel smart programs could be extended to this area, and the implementation of the new flexibus service, currently being trialled in the Kambah and Gungahlin areas, will also increase sustainable transport practices in the area.
I would like to thank all those involved in the consultation process. I commend the report to the Assembly.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (11.20): I wish to comment on the planning and environment committee’s report on the proposed changes to replace the current entertainment,
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