Page 2829 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 17 September 2014
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The current work that is underway includes an urban design framework which will guide the development of high quality building and capital works outcomes across the city and particularly for gateway sites around City Hill and the Sydney and Melbourne buildings; an economic development analysis to develop a strategy to encourage new development, redevelopment and reuse across the city centre; a transport and movement action plan to develop options to reduce through-traffic in the city centre whilst identifying options for the management of parking as well as options for the improvement of public transport and active mode linkages to, from and across the city centre; and the redevelopment of the Allawah, Bega and Currong, or ABC, flats, which will investigate the development of more than 1,000 new residential units.
In relation to the existing amenity along City Walk and Garema Place, it is worth noting that a pedestrian audit completed in 2011 which examined pedestrian flows along the two corridors identified that average flows were between 600 and 900 pedestrians per hour along City Walk and approximately 800 pedestrians per hour along Garema Place. This, in comparison to other city centre streets, demonstrates a significant pedestrian demand and confirms these two streets as critical sections of the city centre functional walking network.
On urban renewal within the city, the city centre has experienced significant growth over the past 10 years with substantial investment in new building projects. The ANU exchange precinct, resulting from a close collaboration between the ANU and the government, has brought the ANU and city together while providing accommodation for 2,530 students close to the amenities of the city. Investment by the government in upgraded streetscapes and improved bus facilities has also attracted significant additional commercial office space in the area, with around 82,000 square metres of new office space constructed.
The final stage of the Canberra Centre was approved in 2011, which will provide 300 apartments, 41,000 square metres of additional commercial office space and 12,500 square metres of new retail floor area.
The development of New Acton, which was completed earlier this year, has set a new benchmark in terms of the quality of urban renewal projects. This precinct has created a new destination for the city through its innovative events programs, a highly sustainable approach to building design and the diverse range of uses, including residential, cinemas, restaurants, hotels and commercial space. New Acton has gained at least 20 awards from a variety of peak design and property bodies, including the 2008 Canberra Medallion and 2014 Planning Institute of Australia award. The Molonglo Group are to be congratulated on their ongoing investment in Canberra.
The city remains the location of choice for both commonwealth and private office tenants, with almost 350,000 square metres of new office space developed over the last 10 years. During this period an additional 1,300 apartments were also constructed in the city.
The government remains committed to improving the quality of pedestrian space and cycle infrastructure in the city. The Civic area action plan released in October 2010
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