Page 2078 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 15 May 2013
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These outcome statements are the targets for Canberra’s development and were developed following extensive consultation in 2010 on Time to talk Canberra 2030 and in 2011 in response to the draft ACT planning strategy. The consultation clearly demonstrates that the Canberra population knew and understood the benefits of greater intensity in town centres, along transitways and in employment nodes that are serviced by public transport. It is this community-driven prioritisation that has determined the master plan program currently underway.
We have listened to the people of Canberra in terms of where our priorities for planning work lie. The Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate has been given the task of delivering the master plan program on behalf of the government, with a prioritised list of the places in most need. The Calwell group centre is not on the list at this time.
There is unprecedented change being experienced today in Belconnen and Woden town centres. The opportunities and initiatives for growth and development mean that these are the highest priority places that are in need of master planning processes.
To date, the government has completed master plans for the Dickson, Kingston, Kambah and Erindale group centres. It has also completed a master plan for the Tuggeranong town centre that envisages and will facilitate renewal for that district. It is worth noting that the Dickson and Kingston group centres were given priority with regard to improving retail opportunities in the inner areas and revitalising these centres. These completed master plans are resulting in action.
On Tuesday, 14 May 2013, this year, only yesterday, my colleague the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Corbell, announced the development’s progress at Dickson, a group centre that is also an employment node along the development corridor of Northbourne Avenue’s priority transit route. Dickson is also a key node for the new capital metro project. This is a perfect example of the government listening to the Canberra community through the development of the ACT planning strategy, prioritising master planning work in response to the strategy, and resulting in action on the ground. Master plans set out objectives and strategies to manage change over time. They work within the context of the place and its community and with what is important about the place and how to enhance its character and quality.
The Calwell group centre has a range of community facilities, including a church, a playground and a childcare centre. It has a retail centre with a supermarket and entertainment venue and a service station. And I have been lobbied of course by Mr Tsoulias and some of his colleagues to assist them in the construction of a Kingswim pool at the Calwell centre as well.
In order to encourage the use of public transport, the government is currently building the park and ride facility, which we have heard, linking it with express bus services to the city. Express services together with the park and ride facility are options for people to travel from lower density parts of the city like Calwell to major employment centres like the city centre. The government is doing good work for the people of that part of Canberra.
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