Page 4272 - Week 13 - Thursday, 19 November 2015
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inspired by the insights that individuals and groups have shared with me in shaping the important issues for the statement of planning intent to consider. They showed genuine enthusiasm to help make Canberra a city that will confidently grapple with the challenges of a maturing city.
The messages I heard from the Canberra community recently were clear. We can no longer afford to significantly expand our urban fringes. There was consensus among young and old, industry, research and community groups that the government should continue to focus on urban renewal. Intensification around the city centre, major town and group centres and along transit corridors is seen as an important step towards becoming a more compact and vibrant city.
However, our community is also challenging us to see this planning vision and strategy implemented and delivered on the ground. Our community wants to see design excellence showcased in our built form so that it clearly demonstrates what this government stands for, including well-connected, mixed-use and active neighbourhoods; precincts with green credentials and healthy lifestyle choices for every Canberran; more transparent transport choices with excellent public transport networks; and a safe pedestrian and cycling environment. And design and planning for people was a key message as well.
The statement of planning intent 2015 responds to key messages which I heard from the community and stakeholders, and it clearly tackles the contemporary planning challenges for our city and identifies four planning priorities for the ACT government over the next five years. Those priorities are: creating sustainable, compact and livable neighbourhoods with better transport choices; delivering high quality public spaces and streets through place making; delivering an outcome-focused planning system through more design excellence and innovation; and engaging with the community, business and research sectors to optimise planning outcomes.
A number of actions against each priority have been identified together with the expected time frames for these to happen over the next five years. The key action under priority 1—creating sustainable, compact and living neighbourhoods with better transport choices—through the outcomes of community engagement, highlighted the desire for neighbourhood precincts throughout the city to provide housing choice and improvements to public spaces, streets, infrastructure and services. Our neighbourhoods have to cater for our diverse community for ageing in place, for first home buyers and for young families.
The creation of neighbourhoods with strong identity and character is considered highly desirable. The community endorsed the idea of a diverse range of destination precincts akin to New Acton, Braddon and the Kingston foreshore or recent greenfield examples such as Crace. An immediate action under the priority will be identifying demonstrated precincts across the city that will undergo an innovative precinct planning process to guide change and sustainable development where innovation and alternative housing options in partnership with industry can be progressed. Another action identified is to facilitate affordable incubation spaces for business start-ups, pop-up shops and creative cultural activities to activate underutilised spaces across Canberra.
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