Page 2497 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
5,000 people. It will provide a range of block types suitable for detached, terrace and townhouse dwellings. Stage 1 construction of the estate has begun and the first sales are expected to commence in late 2019 with 600 sites to be released in the 2019-20 financial year.
MS CODY: Minister, what sorts of benefits will Whitlam provide to the Canberra community, and specifically to those families who choose to live there?
MS BERRY: Whitlam is well situated with easy access to the city and Belconnen town centre. The plan for Whitlam includes vital community services: a school site, as well as local shops and playgrounds. The school and shopping sites are on the land release program for 2021-22. Active travel principles will be incorporated into the project as part of Whitlam’s design, with an extensive network of safe pedestrian and cycle paths, as well as connecting to existing and proposed networks outside the estate.
Whitlam will also benefit from the new special purpose reserve on the Molonglo River that is currently being designed by the ACT parks and conservation service. In addition the Kama Nature Reserve is located directly west of Whitlam.
Whitlam is designed to accommodate families. The playground equipment will be designed to be challenging and appropriate for a range of age groups. Whitlam will be connected as well with the community development program, which helps neighbours to find each other, building a strong and thriving community.
MS ORR: Minister, how are suburban developments like Whitlam providing greater opportunities for affordable housing in the ACT?
MS BERRY: The ACT government is committed to improving Canberrans’ cost of living. The latest development planned in Whitlam is no exception, providing greater opportunities for affordable housing in all areas of Canberra, including new suburbs which traditionally attracted only affluent buyers. The government is committed to improving accessibility to these areas for all Canberrans.
The ACT government has a target of 15 per cent of its annual land release to go for public, community and affordable homes. New greenfield suburbs such as Whitlam will be key contributors to meeting this target. With Whitlam stages 1 and 2, approximately 104 dwelling sites have been identified for affordable housing, 52 for public housing and 10 dwellings for community housing.
As future stages of Whitlam are developed, additional affordable community and public housing sites will be nominated. In addition to meeting affordable housing targets, the government will be assisting Whitlam residents to lower their ongoing household energy costs. There will be an incentive rebate to help cover the up-front cost of installing a range of sustainability measures, including solar panels and energy on-demand management systems as well as residential electric vehicle charging points.
Sport—McKellar Park
MRS DUNNE: My question is to the Minister for Environment and Heritage. Minister, the issues surrounding the lights at McKellar Park continue to impact on the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video