Page 1237 - Week 04 - Thursday, 26 March 2015
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As planning minister, I am proud to advise that master plans have been completed for the Dickson, Kingston, Kambah, Erindale and Weston group centres and Pialligo and Oaks Estate rural villages, as well as master plans for the Tuggeranong town centre that are aimed to revitalise and attract investments in the area. In regard to Tuggeranong, for example, we heard comments from Ms Lawder earlier. I can say there has been quite a bit of revitalisation of the town centre. We have the brand new Tuggeranong Arts Centre, we have the new nurse-led, walk-in centre, we have the new health centre there, the family and community centre of course, and there is more work coming now on Tuggeranong Park and its vista out onto the lake as well, of course, as the new South Quay development, which is selling well, for the future of Tuggeranong.
Current master plan studies are underway that include Woden and Belconnen town centres and Mawson group centre, with remaining master plans to be undertaken in the program that include Curtin, Calwell, Kippax and Tharwa Village. The development of master plans for a strategic priority area will contribute to best practice planning outcomes which seek to ensure new and renewed planning and development in our city that will result in stronger communities for our town and group centres, rural villages and transport corridors.
The city plan that was released last year sets out a vision for future developments in the city centre and a framework towards 2030 and beyond. The city plan is consistent with the ACT planning strategy and most certainly will contribute to urban consolidation, sustainability and strong, connected communities and people places.
Several projects are being developed as part of the city plan, including the city to the lake project, capital metro and planning for the Northbourne Avenue corridor and Constitution Avenue. The planning portfolio is currently progressing the city plan implementation through the city and Northbourne urban design framework study. This will ensure that planning and implementation in this key area is integral to the planning of Canberra as a connected and prosperous city. The project represents one of the most exciting opportunities this city has seen in its short history in terms of the scale and significance of the changes proposed and in providing real opportunities for genuine urban renewal of the inner north to occur.
I look forward to the release today of the Property Council’s discussion paper on the future of the Canberra CBD and I am also looking forward to partnering with them to continue the momentum of the growth and renewal of the city centre.
Public transport and active travel are essential to building inclusive and connected communities. There is growing international recognition that public transport and active travel are key features of the world’s best cities and great urban environments. More people walking, cycling and taking public transport will help to reduce the demand for road infrastructure and manage traffic congestion. Even a small shift away from the use of cars towards more people using public transport and active travel can have a significant impact in reducing traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, air and noise pollution. Public transport use and active travel also increase daily physical activity and social exchange, which have the flow-on health and social benefits that we heard about yesterday from the Heart Foundation.
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