Page 1304 - Week 04 - Thursday, 30 March 2017
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The City Renewal Authority and Suburban Land Agency Bill 2017 will set the territory on a path of cohesive, accessible development across the city, with two new entities delivering an expanded city renewal and suburban land development program. The bill includes robust governance arrangements and clear roles for both entities, with significant government oversight and direction. The bill will encourage greater public and private sector investment and make sure that social inclusion and better neighbourhoods are reflected in development. This bill also ensures the two new entities will partner with builders, neighbours, businesses and the wider community to deliver the government’s priorities in both the city and the suburbs to build Canberra’s future.
Over the last decade Canberra has changed considerably. In 2007 our city’s population was just over 330,000. Works had yet to commence to develop Crace, Lawson and the Molonglo Valley, which now includes the suburbs of Wright and Coombs. The Molonglo Valley was still recovering from the devastation of the 2003 Canberra fires. Construction of the Kingston foreshore development had just started. Lonsdale Street in Braddon was still largely semi-industrial, home to mechanical, auto-electrical and tyre workshops. The gateway to our city, Northbourne Avenue, was dated, tired and difficult to navigate in anything but a car. New Acton was just plain old Acton.
Today our population has reached 400,000. We will grow by more than 5,000 people each and every year so that by 2020, the end of this parliamentary term, Canberra’s population will be over 420,000. Today new suburbs such as Moncrieff in Gungahlin, Denman Prospect in the Molonglo Valley and new developments in the city accommodate the growing number of people who are calling Canberra home. People are moving into our new suburbs, and they are moving back closer to our town centres. As this growth continues, our economy is diversifying as businesses, both old and new, recognise Canberra’s potential.
To further promote social inclusion, equity, affordable housing and economic growth, a business-as-usual approach is not enough. In anticipation of our population reaching half a million people, the ACT government recognises the different challenges and opportunities of growing both our suburbs and our city centre and the need to have dedicated entities for addressing those challenges but, importantly, promoting these opportunities.
In the statement of ambition I released last year I said:
While our aim is the urban renewal and economic diversification of Canberra, at the core of our vision is a city that is an inclusive, welcoming society, open to diverse talents and determined to help everyone reach their fullest potential. Canberra is open to change, to talent, to business, to diversity and to innovation.
We have every reason to be optimistic and ambitious. And that is why the government is taking the steps now to deliver the benefits Canberrans need over the next 20 years. Canberra is undoubtedly a great place to live, but we should always be exploring ways
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