Page 595 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 2019
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MR PETTERSSON: Chief Minister, what is the City Renewal Authority doing outside the city centre to improve Canberra’s north?
MR BARR: The City Renewal Authority precinct extends along the light rail stage 1 corridor. The authority has been focused on a number of different precincts in this area. Haig Park is one such example, a much underutilised part of our city for far too long. There is no doubt that Canberrans want Haig Park to be improved and better utilised.
The authority has already delivered upgrades on the Braddon side of Haig Park, which has included more lighting, better footpaths and street furniture, in a way that respects the park’s heritage value. An exciting mix of events will also help to activate the park. We will continue to focus on improvements in Haig Park as outlined in the authority’s place plan. The authority has also published place plans for Dickson and Braddon that outline a shared vision for the precincts that are inviting and pleasant, whilst maintaining, and indeed enhancing, the unique characteristics of each area.
Future CRA projects and investment will prioritise high quality spaces for people to enjoy. These plans have been created through extensive community consultation. The authority has been busy working with local residents, workers and traders to enhance these precincts.
MS CHEYNE: Chief Minister, why is it so important that Canberra has a CBD that makes people want to live in, work in and visit the city centre?
MR BARR: It is important that our CBD reflects the best that our city has to offer. Many of us who have lived nearly all of our lives in the city might have heard all too frequently that Canberra was a hundred suburbs in search of a city, a sentiment that I have always found quite frustrating. We live in a vibrant, progressive and inclusive city, one that deserves a CBD that showcases the best of this city and highlights the great potential that Canberra has.
A thriving city centre is crucial to our territory’s economy. It allows businesses to flourish and helps our city to attract more people from other cities and countries. Many small businesses in the city rely on local customers, and having more residents and better quality spaces will help many existing businesses in the CBD and also support the establishment of new businesses.
Canberra cannot continue to sprawl endlessly, and having a city centre with more residents and better quality developments means that a wider part of the Australian Capital Territory can remain protected. This delivers greater housing choices for Canberrans and also ensures that we strike the balance between a vibrant city heart and our more than 100 leafy suburbs.
A strong city centre helps Canberra’s culture and arts scene to develop. We want to see a CBD that supports live music and events, and we are taking further steps to support the nation-leading growth in our night-time economy. Restaurants, bars, theatres and galleries will be successful when we deliver a better CBD, and we are
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