Page 2652 - Week 08 - Thursday, 24 August 2006
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reduce the western fire threat to the city and to address the polluted urban stormwater currently flowing out of the Woden and Weston Creek catchments.
One of the first steps in progressing planning for the Molonglo Valley was the Molonglo Valley suitability study, undertaken jointly by the ACT Planning and Land Authority and the National Capital Authority. That study concluded that the Molonglo Valley was indeed suitable for urban development.
Further detailed studies to address key issues and test the viability of proceeding with urban development in the Molonglo Valley are currently under way. These include a stormwater management strategy and pond options study; roads, earthworks and non-hydraulic infrastructure study; various detailed environmental studies; and the Molonglo Valley structure planning study. A public consultation process in three stages has commenced in parallel with these studies, and this work will inform the preparation of a preliminary environmental assessment, a proposed amendment to the national capital plan and a variation to the territory plan. Successful completion of the policy changes to these two plans, the national capital plan and the territory plan, and investment in some capital works on ponds and roads infrastructure could see development in the valley commence within the next few years, with land releases anticipated in three or four years.
Development in the western broadacre area, which lies immediately north of Weston, may commence sooner, depending on the outcomes and timeliness of statutory planning processes. The anticipated dwelling yield in the eastern area of Molonglo, including the western broadacre area, is 25,000, accommodating 55,000 people; the central area, 9,000, accommodating 20,000 people; while the western area, which is exposed to higher fire risk and is more remote from facilities and services, will be recommended for broadacre rather than residential uses.
As well as facilitating urban intensification in the city and in the town centres, the spatial plan identified East Lake, located immediately east of Kingston Foreshore, as a major urban renewal site. Its central location on major transport routes provides a significant opportunity for residential intensification and could accommodate up to 6,000 new dwellings as well as some additional commercial development. Critical issues being addressed by this East Lake work include integration of the Causeway residential area, the future of the railway and the Australian Railway Historical Society, the interface with the important Jerrabomberra wetlands to the north and industrial areas of Fyshwick to the south, interpretation and integration of elements of the Griffin legacy, constraints imposed by electrical infrastructure and opportunities for this area to become a showcase for sustainability principles.
Three key studies have been completed for East Lake: the land capability and suitability study, the infrastructure and stormwater study and stage 1 of the contamination study. A study of the operations and possible rationalisation of land use at the Canberra railway is presently under way. Initial consultation has occurred with key stakeholders, including existing commercial lessees, ACT government agencies, New South Wales rail authorities, existing residents and community groups within the study area, the National Capital Authority and the commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services. The ACT Planning and Land Authority is currently preparing a structure plan
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