There has been much media comment in recent weeks about the draft Greater Canberra City Area Action Plan launched recently by the Chief Minister.
The draft Action Plan has been welcomed by industry in that it 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, it is clear that the Government has made some 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, the document is disappointing in that 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 that there needs to be a fully integrated and settled master plan for Civic.
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.
We should now be working towards a real vision and action plan for Civic, looking ahead to the shape of the city in 10, 20 and 50 years time.
A truly integrated master plan needs to include details about urban and social planning values and strategies, environmental sustainability, land use, density and transport strategies with relevant guidelines and an implementation plan.
The ACT Government has published its draft Action Plan on its community engagement website at http://www.communityengagement.act.gov.au/ with an initial public consultation period running up until the end of March. All Canberrans are invited to provide input. The Property Council will be providing its own submission.
Catherine Carter |
Friday, 26 February 2010 8:54 AM |
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