Page 545 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 20 February 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
In Gungahlin, urban intensification localities are identified specifically around the town centre, along the light rail corridor, on Flemington Road and around Casey group centre. The planning strategy also flags a fresh approach to planning by addressing the key issues at the regional level. This is done to recognise that the Gungahlin town centre, together with all of Canberra’s town centres, have distinct characteristics and differences that make them unique. This must be reflected in future planning objectives.
In November 2018 the government released the Gungahlin town centre planning refresh snapshot, which was accompanied by a concept variation to the Gungahlin precinct map and code. While the concept variation had no status, it was released to inform the community how the snapshot’s recommendations were going to be implemented. The snapshot recommended that, subject to future investigations, community facilities may be located closer to Flemington Road and closer to light rail and be more central to the town centre. This allows for flexibility in the location of community facilities and greater access to public transport and ensures that other planning controls such as building height controls can be complied with.
While the snapshot provides an opportunity for flexibility in the location of community facilities, it ensures that the overall amount of community facility land specified in the Territory Plan is maintained. Flexibility in the future provision, location and design of community centres and facilities may include the opportunity to create multipurpose and flexible community spaces. This will allow for community facilities to adapt over time to the changing needs of the surrounding community. There is also an important opportunity to think outside the square and collocate or cluster community facilities and services to create a wider community benefit than the sum of the individual parts. Of course, any future provision of community facilities will need to be based on needs assessment and sound evidence of what the community requires.
In the coming months, the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate will formally release the draft variation to the Territory Plan’s Gungahlin precinct map and code. This variation will give statutory effect to the refresh’s planning recommendations. It will provide the community with a further opportunity to comment on the future of community facilities within the Gungahlin town centre. The scope of this motion does not include Woden. I respect that Ms Orr’s motion is strictly about Gungahlin; however, I want to note that the government has started the planning work for a future community centre on the south side, in Woden. I hope that this work also helps to inform the approach of other community facilities in Canberra.
I have brought together agencies from across government to consider the options for a future community facility and centre in Woden, in consultation with the community, which has now begun. Ms Le Couteur mentioned that we need to join up different ministers and different agencies. Well, we have done that from the get-go with Woden. We have brought together a whole range of different directorates, including sport, EPSDD, TCCS and CSD, as well as other directorates like the Chief Minister’s directorate, to come together and look at the future needs of the Woden community as
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video