Page 2830 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 17 September 2014
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identified a range of projects, including upgrades to footpaths, lighting and general accessibility to the city. At least $20 million has been invested in these improvements, including the completion of the city cycle loop, since the release of the plan. The city cycle loop has seen a significant increase in cyclists in the city area.In relation to Braddon, the Braddon commercial area previously had little incentive to redevelop sites due to a two-storey height limit and restrictions on uses. Lower quality buildings and cheaper rent attracted a diverse range of alternative uses, allowing a unique character to emerge. However, this also led to redevelopment limited to office and large retail outlets, which provided no diversity for after-hours activity.
Changes to planning controls for the Braddon commercial area were developed during 2007 and aimed to retain the emerging character of the area while encouraging redevelopment. Key aspects of the changes included increased building heights, requiring active street-front tenancies and consistent awnings, as well as encouraging upper-level residential uses, which will provide additional after-hours surveillance and activity as well as increased safety.
The changes to the controls have been well received by the community, allowing Braddon to develop its character while retaining a clear point of difference to the adjacent city area. Since 2008, when the controls were adopted, development applications have been approved for 40 of the 67 blocks covered by the controls, including 450 new apartments. Braddon has moved from what we saw as a car-centred industrial area to hipster central and is a great result, I think, for Canberra.
The government is also developing an active travel framework to provide an overarching direction on active travel in the ACT. The framework will establish an overall vision to guide continued investment in cycling and walking infrastructure, policies, education, planning and behavioural change initiatives, enabling more active lifestyles and increasing the uptake of active travel modes across the ACT.
The active travel framework will specifically outline how we can better plan, build, encourage and manage the potential of walking and cycling and active travel’s role in an integrated transport system, such as enhanced planning of walking and cycling networks to further leverage infrastructure improvements, like integration with public transport and better built form outcomes, that would cater to greater numbers of walking and cycling trips; promotion and behavioural interventions to further raise awareness and encourage walking and cycling participation; and ensuring best practice governance arrangements, monitoring and implementation.
The city is a key active travel destination and the government is working hard to improve access to, from and within the city centre for people on foot, bikes and public transport. The government has already implemented a major initiative to support active transport in the city, including the city cycle loop.
Mr Smyth: How about talking about the motion?
MR GENTLEMAN: It is my amendment to the motion, Mr Smyth. The 3.2-kilometre-long Civic cycle loop provides a high quality path for bicycle riders
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