Page 123 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 February 2018
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Our changing demographics demand that we become more agile, that we consider contemporary pathways to realise the government’s vision for a connected, livable and prosperous city. We are already shifting planning and transport policies to enable the creation of a high quality public realm; encourage active travel options for walking, cycling and public transport; and provide improved housing choice to allow people to age in place in their familiar neighbourhood where they are socially connected.
The actions called for by the discussion earlier on set out the priorities in my 2015 statement of planning intent. Many of the statement’s actions are already underway to achieve its priorities of creating sustainable, compact and livable neighbourhoods with improved transport choices. They deliver high quality public places and streets through place making and rewarding design excellence and innovation through an outcome-focused planning system.
The matters called for in this motion regarding the implementation of planning changes for town centres are already occurring. We have a range of planning design and implementation mechanisms in place that we work with our colleagues across government to deliver to our communities. Our city is planned with a range of centres, each individual and each contributing to the greater whole of Canberra. Master planning has set directions for these centres for the future and to provide a hub for the surrounding areas they support but also to promote their own character. It is this character that we need to embrace, enhance and create over time so that the centres remain relevant, sustainable and viable and support the overall connected Canberra.
The 2012 planning strategy for the ACT and transport for Canberra prioritised developing along and adjacent to major transport corridors that connect town centres. These strategies envision better pedestrian, cycling and public transport infrastructure that connects suburbs and centres to each other. The government has started a review of the refresh of the planning strategy to address key government priorities and major changes in Canberra since 2012. Those include planning for urban renewal and the shift to a more compact and sustainable city; planning for Canberra’s future transport network and light rail; and planning for net zero emissions by 2050, and for climate change.
The review is closely aligned with the concurrent reviews of the transport for Canberra strategy and the ACT climate change strategy. The integrated approach across the three strategies provides the opportunity to deliver on many whole-of-government outcomes. It will ensure that current and future government infrastructure investment is carried out in an efficient, fiscally responsible and coordinated manner. The Canberra community and industry will play an important role in helping to refresh the planning strategy to deliver a compact, competitive, connected and sustainable city for the future.
The 2012 planning strategy called for master plans to be prepared in response to place-specific needs of the Canberra community. The master plan program is a response of the government’s strategy to create a more compact, efficient city by focusing urban intensification in town centres, around group centres and along major
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