Page 3406 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 14 November 2006
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and physical health through physical activity, and to enable the provision of leisure and professional activities associated with such a sporting facility. Furthermore, Phillip oval is to be retained as public land under the proposed variation. Residential use will not be permitted on the land and commercial use will be allowed only if it is compatible with the operation of the oval as a sporting ground. The committee appreciates the value of Phillip oval, which hosted competition level Australian Rules football and cricket in its heyday. There is plenty of space for supporters and the facility is projected also to generate increased economic activity in the Woden area.
The committee notes that, according to projected climate change, temperatures in Canberra are expected to rise and rainfall to decline and become more intensely delivered in storm events. With this in mind, it is important to ensure that development in the future is environmentally sustainable. It is for these reasons that residential development throughout Canberra should be designed to promote cutbacks in greenhouse gas emissions. As such, the committee recommends that there be incentives to reduce energy consumption in buildings. One such incentive is for buildings to qualify for the Green Building Council’s green star energy rating methodology as part of the ACT government’s climate change strategy. The committee would like to see both residential and commercial high-rise buildings in Canberra adopt innovative, energy-efficient mechanisms. This is imperative, as currently heating and cooling accounts for about 39 per cent of residential energy consumption in Australia and 15 per cent of residential greenhouse gas emissions.
The 2005 concept plan for Woden east includes nine development blocks, seven with medium density residential units and two with 10-storey mixed development use. With the increase in buildings, the committee took a particular interest in the proposed Woden east parks, as these will help alleviate the “concrete jungle” feel of the area. Stakeholders were concerned that high-rise buildings are overwhelming and commented that urban green spaces are essential for workers and others who spend time in Woden. To alleviate these concerns, the committee agreed that special attention has to be paid to the creation of an improved sense of open space in Woden.
In line with environmental sustainability, the committee recommends that there be incentives for native gardens in the Woden east estate. Added to this, the committee recommends that high-value significant trees be retained. There are also a number of water-sensitive urban design measures, including a pond, wetland, grass swales and a modified Yarralumla creek to be included in the Woden east estate. Since these parks have a great potential to enhance the aesthetic values of the estate, it is also recommended that there be a mechanism for dealing with graffiti, litter and shopping trolleys in the Woden east estate.
Mr Speaker, our draft variation 262 is a minor change to the residential core area of Narrabundah. With that, I commend the report to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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