Page 1025 - Week 03 - Thursday, 23 March 2017
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rejuvenating Woden as part of our vision to make Canberra a more vibrant and livable city.
One of the reasons I stood for election last October was to help in delivering this investment of rejuvenation to Woden. As a long-term resident of Woden, I know that the town centre is in need of urban renewal. While Canberra’s economy is diversifying, we are still reliant in many ways on the federal government. It is upsetting that Woden has been so hurt by the federal Liberal government decisions so many times, including with the recent announcement of up to 250 more jobs to go at the commonwealth Department of Health just this month. Don’t regret it: advocate; do something about it. Speak to your senator, Mr Seselja, and get him to do something for once. He claims to stand up for public servants in Belconnen, but apparently that is not good enough for Woden.
These cuts are symbolised by the Alexander and Albermarle buildings, as well as our virtually empty Lovett Tower. Woden cannot rely on public servants anymore for its future, though, and it does need further private and government support to kickstart urban renewal.
I am pleased to report from my conversations in the community over the past few months that a sense of optimism about Woden’s future is returning. The ACT government has moved an additional thousand public servants into Woden in the Health Directorate and Access Canberra, which will be complete very soon. There have also recently been completed upgrades to the Woden bus interchange and Phillip Oval as well as ACT government support for the new Abode Hotel in Juliana House, an adaptive re-use project.
So we have had significant investment already. Another catalyst for renewal will be the investment in light rail stage 2 to Woden, which the Liberals categorically do not support. Contracts will be signed within this term of government. Light rail is already bringing renewal at Northbourne Avenue, and it will do the same in Woden. This is such an important project for Woden’s renewal. Light rail will mean more people living close to public transport and services enlivening Woden’s public spaces and providing demand for local business, which benefits the whole community. More people living in our town centres is an opportunity for quality design and development to take place and to keep the open spaces and low density in our suburbs that make them such great places to live.
It is also encouraging to see the sale of a half-stake in Woden Plaza by Westfield to Perron Investments for $335 million in December. I am hopeful that this sale foreshadows upgrades to Woden Plaza. The last substantial upgrade was in the 1990s, and despite a fondness for the plaza by many locals, upgrades would be welcomed.
Surrounding suburbs in Woden valley are thriving. They are sought after by home buyers, with well planned communities, an abundance of parks, good schools, Canberra’s major hospital—which we continue to invest in—and a growing cafe culture. With a population of 400,000, set to grow to 421,000 by 2020, we need to
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