Page 2864 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 14 August 2018
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MR GENTLEMAN: Variation 344 to the Territory Plan, Woden town centre, incorporates the planning recommendations of the Woden town centre master plan to guide new development within the centre over the next 10 to 20 years. The variation rezones a number of sites within the town centre and amends the Woden precinct map and code to restrict building heights, provide guidance on the built form and improve the pedestrian experience within the centre.
The zoning changes consist of rezoning a portion of Arabanoo Park for community facilities, changing part of the residential land within Woden east from medium density to commercial and high density residential, and changing land along Athllon Drive from suburban core residential and transport corridor to open space and high density residential uses. These changes are in accordance with the approved 2015 Woden town centre master plan. A further change to zoning has been introduced through a recommendation to the Standing Committee on Planning and Urban Renewal to rezone a pocket park formed from the realignment of Corinna Street from commercial to urban open space.
An initiative of the ACT government, the master plan and variation encourage and provide direction for the future rejuvenation of the town centre that we see is starting to take shape today. The changes also reflect the intended outcomes of the ACT planning strategy 2012 by facilitating high density mixed-use development within commercial centres and locations close to main public transport routes.
The draft variation was released for public consultation, initially for six weeks between March and April 2017. This was extended by a further six weeks to June 2017 due to the level of interest received and to accommodate a roundtable discussion between the ACT government, community members and representatives from business with interests in the centre. The consultation attracted a total of 28 written submissions from the community, including local residents, business owners and community organisations. A range of matters were raised in the course of the consultation on DV 344, including both support for and concern with the proposed building heights within the centre, the potential population density within the town centre, retaining solar access to dwellings and open spaces, and the provision of community facilities within the centre.
The planning authority amended the variation in response to submissions made and the amended variation was referred to me for consideration. I referred DV 344 to the Standing Committee on Planning and Urban Renewal to allow them the opportunity to consider the proposal.
The standing committee held an inquiry into DV 344, releasing a report containing 31 recommendations, including a recommendation that the variation be approved. The government is grateful for the input of the standing committee into the planning process for the future of this important town centre, which is reflected in the responses to the standing committee report. The report was carefully considered. Of the 31 recommendations, the government agreed wholly or in part with 15 recommendations, noted a further 15 recommendations and declined to agree with only one recommendation.
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