Property Council of Australia ACT Executive Director, Catherine Carter, has today welcomed the release of the draft Greater Canberra City Area Action Plan by the ACT Chief Minister, but says that much more work needs to be done towards the development of an integrated master plan for Civic.
“The draft Action Plan touches on a number of issues that will impact on the development of Civic as the heart and central hub of Canberra, including population forecasts, infrastructure and transport requirements, and includes a commitment by the ACT Government to providing and maintaining a high quality streetscape and public realm.
“In particular, the Property Council supports government efforts to identify and address some of the critical issues in terms of current bottlenecks in infrastructure, roadwork and transport services which are addressed in the draft paper.
“However, while we welcome the release of the draft paper as a start, there is still little detail provided about government intentions in relation to future development in Civic. The draft Action Plan includes parts of Braddon, Turner, Reid and the lake northern foreshore. Some of these areas include designated land under the control of the National Capital Authority, but it is not clear that there has been coordination between the two levels of government about future development of these areas.
“The Property Council has strongly advocated for many years the need for a fully integrated and settled master plan for Civic. This has to be agreed and signed off by the Commonwealth through the National Capital Authority. A master plan is urgently needed to provide certainty about future sequencing of development, so that the decisions can be made about future commercial investment opportunities, employment and accommodation options in Canberra’s central business district.
“Given the extensive amount of consultation undertaken by government in recent years around these issues, as well as the large number of planning studies that have been undertaken, it is therefore disappointing that we do not yet have a real vision and action plan for Civic, looking ahead to the shape of the city in 10, 20 or 50 years time.
“The ACT Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Civic with the release of the draft Action Plan. We now urge the Federal and ACT Governments to work together to develop an integrated master plan for Civic, which includes urban and social planning values and strategies, environmental sustainability, land use, density and transport strategies with relevant guidelines and an implementation plan.
“The Property Council stands ready to offer its experience and expertise in these areas, to work with government in the development of an integrated master plan for Civic that delivers a quality master plan product befitting the nation’s capital and the vital heart of our city,” Ms Carter said.
For further information contact:
Catherine Carter, Executive Director, 02 6248 6902 or 0412 330 079
