Page 5300 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 15 November 2011
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MR CORBELL: Variation 300 to the territory plan has been prepared to implement the recommendations of the Gungahlin town centre planning report. The planning report, which was prepared by the Planning and Land Authority, responded to issues raised by residents, businesses and other parties with interests in Gungahlin during consultations in 2008 as part of the Gungahlin town centre planning study. The planning study reflected the government’s commitment to engaging the community in the planning and delivery of improved services to the Gungahlin community.
In 2008 the government gave a commitment to consider the public submissions made on the planning study and then release a planning report on the findings of the planning study and a response to the findings in the form of a draft variation to the territory plan.
About half the land in the town centre had been developed or committed to development by 2008, and it was considered timely to review the planning policies to ensure they would support the aspirations and ongoing needs of the growing Gungahlin community.
The government’s commitment to progress the review of planning policy in the form of a draft variation was met when draft variation 300 was placed for public consultation in November last year. Variation 300 represents the ACT government’s response to another round of consultation with the community in Gungahlin and reflects a further degree of refinement to planning policies in the area.
Variation 300 delivers a contemporary planning framework to guide development in the Gungahlin town centre. The proposed changes support the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the community in Gungahlin while building upon the “urban village” design concept that was adopted for the town centre through the territory plan in 1995.
Meanwhile, other ACT government agencies, including the Economic Development Directorate, the Land Development Agency, Territory and Municipal Services and Community Services, are involved in the development of the town centre and in the provision of services to the Gungahlin community.
The government released a draft concept plan for Gungahlin town centre and an issues paper for public consultation from 16 May 2008 to 16 June 2008. The issues paper received a strong response, with 129 submissions. The community in Gungahlin indicated a strong interest in the provision of the following activities in the town centre: setting aside land to attract more jobs; developing recreational and sporting facilities; providing for open spaces and parkland; reducing traffic on Hibberson Street; enhancing public transport and services; providing for a mix of building heights; and improving weather protection for pedestrians.
These issues have been carefully examined by the planning authority in conjunction with other ACT government agencies. The Gungahlin Community Council and local businesses were also involved in the consideration of issues and the development of recommendations for the Gungahlin town centre planning report.
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