Page 534 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 20 February 2019
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thrived as the ACT government has made a number of important investments in the Gungahlin region, including stage 1 of the light rail network, the nurse-led walk-in centre, new and improved sporting facilities and expanded schools.
At this stage in Gungahlin’s development it is key to further consider how the region, as it stands today, will move forward. For instance, the Gungahlin town centre planning refresh has identified some key opportunities which have strong potential for growth. These include investigating options for a new community facility for Gungahlin, improving shade areas and providing more seating and lighting, providing opportunities for public art, investigating the potential for micro parks, improving pedestrian and cyclist connectivity from the town centre to the suburbs, introducing more trees and grass areas to provide cool climate areas, and enhancing landscaping to improve appearance and provide a comfortable climate. We are steadily moving forward with these, with only some of the opportunities left to investigate and act on.
I believe the best way to promote growth, livability and community in our suburbs is to continually identify areas where we can upgrade and enhance infrastructure to meet the needs of local residents and local organisations. That is why I am calling on the ACT government to commence works for a new, dedicated community centre for Gungahlin.
In moving this motion, I note that a community services facility for the Gungahlin town centre is on this government’s agenda. The planning refresh acknowledged that community service centres play a significant role in the physical and mental health of their region. And we know that a space for childcare, disability support, social support, youth services and individual counselling, among many other services, can make all the difference in the overall wellbeing of a community.
We also know that community service centres create opportunities for people to engage in artistic practices or other socially orientated activities. These opportunities have the potential to provide entertainment for the region and encourage skills development in people who participate in them.
Here in the ACT we have the fastest growing economy in Australia, and I am proud that we are able to continue to uphold this incredible record by supporting our local communities through investment in social infrastructure. When everyone in a community, regardless of their income, ability, culturally diverse background or sexual and gender identity, has access to a quality support service, this creates opportunity for them to invest in themselves, their families and their wider community.
The Gungahlin town centre planning refresh notes that the Territory Plan provides for a range of land uses within the community facility zone, including childcare, indoor recreation, emergency services, healthcare, library, education and religious uses. The Territory Plan also provides for a range of other uses within community facility zoning to provide services for individuals, families and their community, including a community activity centre, community theatre and a cultural facility. In addition to those existing community facility zones, the refresh recommended that future investigation explore if community facility uses, contributing to the required six
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