Page 2828 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 17 September 2014
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(h) the impact the withdrawal of more than 800 Commonwealth public servants has had on local business and pedestrian traffic within the city centre; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) develop the city centre in a way that ensures it is sustainable, safe, vibrant and economically prosperous; and
(b) update the Assembly on the progress of implementation of the City Plan and what engagement has occurred with local stakeholders in the first sitting period of 2015.”.
This amendment relates to the ACT government’s commitment to the revitalisation and rejuvenation of the city centre. Following the completion of the city plan earlier this year, the ACT government now has an overarching document that sets the future for the whole of the city centre. The city plan provides the direction and impetus to bring new life to Canberra’s city centre.
The plan was developed to guide development across the city centre that will result in more people living in the city, less through-traffic, better connections across the city, and in particular to the lake, and a modern built environment that will foster a dynamic and vibrant city atmosphere.
In October 2013 extensive community consultation was undertaken on the draft city plan. More than 7,000 interactions with the plan were recorded across a range of consultation and engagement activities, including open house sessions, websites, social media, workshops, feedback forms and written submissions.
From the consultation it is clear that Canberrans love parts of the city centre but want to see change to give it a stronger identity—one that is less about cars and more about people and connections.
Canberrans feel that the city centre should be the cultural and economic focus of life in Canberra; have strong, walkable connections across the city and down to the lake; develop a clearer and stronger identity as a local, regional and national capital but maintain elements of the existing character; respect Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin’s planning visions, particularly through its views, vistas and tree-lined streets; have a good range of innovative and well-designed facilities that bring people to the city to celebrate and enjoy; be more alive, more active and attractive to locals and visitors; and be serviced by better public transport systems.
One of the strongest messages we heard was, “Just get on with it.” People want to see change. In response to this feedback the ACT government agreed to five priority projects that will begin delivery of the city plan. As such, the Environment and Planning Directorate are now embarking on the development of the city plan implementation project, which includes four of the five priority projects.
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