Page 3243 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 18 August 2009
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Draft variation No 288 was released for public comment in July 2008 and attracted 34 public submissions, including a petition signed by 53 people. The main issues raised in the public submissions related to the increase in height from three to six storeys across the site; the 10-storey height limit at the corner of Melrose Drive and Launceston Street; the need for tall buildings; height transitions; and the impact of the development on the character of Lyons. Issues relating to pedestrian safety and traffic and parking impacts on local streets were also raised.
The proposed location of the taller buildings was questioned in terms of potential overshadowing and passive solar access for other dwellings. Impacts on privacy and possible wind tunnel effect were also raised. The sustainability of tall buildings in terms of carbon footprint and resource consumption as well as affordability and the social sustainability of such buildings as retirement dwellings were questioned.
Lastly, concerns were expressed regarding the consistency and accuracy of information provided by the proponent, especially relating to building heights on site. An issue in gaining access to the planning report during the public consultation period was also raised.
A report on consultation was prepared by the Planning and Land Authority responding to the issues raised in the submissions. A copy of that report is included with the documents I have tabled. The variation was not amended as a result of public consultation. The Lyons site has been determined as suitable for rezoning from RZ4 medium density to RZ5 high density residential.
I referred the draft variation under section 73(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2007 to the planning, public works and territory and municipal services committee for consideration. The committee released its report No 2 on 23 July 2009 in which it made 10 recommendations. These recommendations propose that the key elements of the variation proceed, including the rezoning of the Lyons site; the revised height limits for the high density residential zone, subject to the revision of a criterion to better protect the solar access of any existing development on site and a provision allowing up to 10-storey development on the corner of Melrose Drive and Launceston Street in Lyons.
In relation to the recommendation of the committee to protect the solar access of any existing development on site, I directed the ACT Planning and Land Authority to consider this matter. Consequently, the Planning and Land Authority revised the territory plan variation accordingly.
The government has considered the issues that the planning, public works and territory and municipal services committee has raised and has prepared a government response that addresses the committee’s recommendations. The deputy chair of the committee, Ms Le Couteur, has provided additional comments and recommendations.
I will now provide a brief outline of the government’s response to the report No 2 of the standing committee. Responses to the issues raised by Ms Le Couteur are set out in the government response, which I have tabled.
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