Page 3154 - Week 10 - Thursday, 18 October 2007
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amenity and character of Canberra’s suburbs. They have focused residential redevelopment and modest intensification into the residential core areas. Dual occupancy approvals in residential core areas are double that in suburban areas. Multi-unit developments in residential core areas are now more than four times the number of multi-unit developments in suburban areas. Development activity for dual occupancy and multi-unit developments has not abated as a result of the garden city provisions. Rather, it has increased from pre-garden city rates of redevelopment. This is all working towards the establishment of a more sustainable settlement pattern by increasing housing numbers and choice in strategic locations within suburbs.
The evaluation process did, however, identify some areas where we can improve the performance of the garden city provisions. On some streets and blocks, the high number of units is causing concerns with traffic and parking; privacy and overlooking, and solar access and orientation. To address these issues, the number of units in any one development may need to be limited, and this is most relevant to blocks with narrow frontages. There are also some concerns about the scale and form of development that is intended for residential core areas. The objectives of the territory plan need to provide more certainty about the development intended for these areas. There are also some minor inconsistencies in the technical provisions that also need to be rectified.
The evaluation process has confirmed that the garden city provisions are achieving their overall intent. However, a few refinements to the provisions can substantially improve the outcomes on the ground, most particularly in residential core areas. Through the evaluation process, we have consulted extensively on the garden city provisions and, as a result, I will be directing the Planning and Land Authority to commence work on refinements to these provisions. These, when completed, will be incorporated into the final version of the new territory plan that will be presented in the Assembly next year.
The government is committed to protecting the garden city character of Canberra. As part of this commitment, a publication outlining garden city values and principles is due for release on the Planning and Land Authority website in November this year. The purpose of the publication is to inform developers, the building industry and home renovators of the garden city values relevant to the street, block and the dwelling. It will also identify how redevelopment in residential core areas of Canberra’s older suburbs can be designed to be complementary to the residential character and amenity of these suburbs.
In conclusion, I have demonstrated the government’s commitment to evaluate the performance of the garden city provisions and to refine those provisions to improve their performance. I have also demonstrated the government’s commitment to provide clear design advice and information to protect the garden city values of Canberra’s suburbs.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Debate (on motion by Mr Seselja) adjourned to the next sitting.
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