Page 1485 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 9 May 2017
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The first precinct will focus on the urban renewal along the Northbourne corridor where light rail is being built, a project that will help to reduce congestion and provide a mass transit system for our growing city. It has been positive to see that the government has started work on our city-wide rollout of light rail, particularly by the commitment to invest in the southside with stage two of light rail to Woden. This will create a north-south transport spine integrated with our local and rapid bus services, with connections to active transport.
The master plan and the draft variations to the Territory Plan for Woden town centre and Mawson group centre have already considered the future route of light rail to Woden and have reflected these in changes to our core planning policies, including changes to zoning and precinct codes. This will help to generate urban renewal and investment along these transport routes, as it already has done along Northbourne Avenue. It will mean more people living in Woden town centre, mixed with the existing commercial and community service uses.
In this bill, further urban renewal precincts can be declared by the minister under division 2.8 and may include land in a precinct which facilitates integrated commercial and residential development, the integration of development with public transport, and to benefit the community, the environment and the territory economy.
Madam Deputy Speaker, this bill shows that the government has taken into consideration the fact that Canberra is growing. The territory is projected to accommodate 25,000 more people just over the next four years. It is an opportunity to breathe new life into our town centres, suburbs and cities, facilitated by the two newly proposed agencies.
In addition to the creation of the City Renewal Authority, part 3 of the bill permits for the establishment of a Suburban Land Agency. The new agency will be responsible for looking after our suburbs and making sure they remain supportive, creative and safe. The agency will see to it that we still have the Canberra that we love, but making it even better. Part 3 clause 36 of the bill also outlines how the agency will deliver this by prioritising a number of important objects.
The Suburban Land Agency will seek to encourage communities that are inclusive of all people and place attention on neighbourhoods that are, at their core, people focused. A priority will be working towards keeping our suburbs safe and with a healthy population. The authority will place an emphasis on ensuring that the new suburban developments being built seek to support and provide for affordable housing and housing choice in our communities.
In conclusion, Canberra is undergoing a change in land development. It is important that the proposed agencies reflect our population’s changing aspirations and needs. The creation of the two new agencies will allow Canberra to continue to be one of the most liveable cities in the world. By giving specific attention to land development for the city and other urban renewal precincts and also to our growing suburbs and greenfield developments, the proposed bill delivers on the government’s plan to renew and build Canberra’s future. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
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