Page 2727 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 15 August 2017
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There has been a lot of concern about derelict buildings et cetera in Woden. Woden revitalisation is needed as much as anywhere else.
Just today there was an example. UNSW is expanding in Canberra, which is great. It is expanding in the Reid CIT precinct. Why not the Woden CIT? We really need attention to go to the whole of Canberra and I think calling the other agency the Suburban Land Agency does leave it open that that is really not where we are putting our thoughts. Apart from that, I note that establishing the CRA is only the first of the steps that are going to be needed to address the issues that the Auditor-General articulated very well in her report and, in addition to her articulation, the public perception that the LDA has had far too much power.
We are very pleased that the government has agreed that there will be affordable and public housing targets. We are looking forward to seeing those and we are looking forward to the statement of intent from the CRA that emphasises better governance, better community engagement, a focus on delivering affordable housing, the delivery of development that supports our move to carbon neutrality and a change in culture. We very much look forward to hearing about all of these improvements to come.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism and Major Events) (5.29): The City Renewal Authority has been established to drive revitalisation of the defined city renewal precinct. This includes Dickson, Northbourne Avenue, Haig Park, Civic, city east and the West Basin. An appropriation of $79.539 million has been allocated in the budget over four years to establish the authority and enable it to assist with the revitalisation of these central parts of Canberra.
Now our city is a city for people; it is a city open to change, to talent, to business, to diversity and to innovation, and our city centre needs to reflect this modern, progressive and forward-thinking community. Over the past 10 years we have seen the face of the city change, and there is certainly an emerging urban energy in Canberra. It is one that we are keen to grow and foster. As this change continues, our city continues to grow. More than 6,000 new people each year are calling Canberra home, and many of these new arrivals will live and work in the city precinct, where they have access to high quality services, comfortable and efficient public transport and a wide range of rich and vibrant recreational opportunities.
This growth and change is already highly visible. Anyone who travels along Northbourne Avenue or spends time in the CBD or in Dickson will have seen it. High density development—at least in the Canberra context, not in a global context—is taking place at a fast rate to keep up with the demand of our growing city. New dwellings are rising up right throughout the precinct as part of mixed use developments that are providing not only the residential dwellings that we need but also the services that are required to help build vibrant communities for these new residents. You do not have to look hard to find these developments. In Dickson there are a number under construction already, changing the skyline a little. When completed and filled with new Dickson residents, they will certainly add more to the area’s culture as they make it their home.
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