Page 1927 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 May 2013
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group centres like Dickson. The changes put into practice the vision of ACT planning strategy 2012 by facilitating mixed use development at commercial centres and locations close to main transport routes.
The draft variation was publicly exhibited between July and September 2012. Only nine written submissions were received during this time. The main matters raised in the public submissions included the location, scale and utility of the proposed park on the corner of Badham Street and Dickson Place, impacts of future development on traffic and car parking, and interpretation of proposed development controls upon specific blocks, including surface level car parking sites that are, separately, the subject of the ACT government’s land release program. Other matters raised sought protection of public areas from mall development and the function of particular parts of the centre, such as Dickson Place.
I am pleased to advise the Assembly that various changes were made to the variation in response to these issues raised in submissions. These include substitution of the urban open space rezoning with the combination of a commercial zone and public land overlay to allow development of a pedestrian plaza with limited basement parking and protection for some existing mature trees, provisions to prevent the enclosure of public spaces in mall developments, a building envelope introduced to ensure urban amenity is retained along main pedestrian areas and routes, provision of service, delivery and emergency service vehicle access to and from Antill Street, various provisions being reworded or consolidated to improve clarity of the variation, and a statement of desired character being included to ensure consistency in urban character across the centre.
While the sale of surface level car parking sites for development separately from this process is due to occur as a result of actions on the part of the Economic Development Directorate, I can assure members of the Assembly that the variation retains the existing policy of requiring the continued provision of publicly available car parking on the nominated sites. Disruption during the development of these car parking sites is expected. However, arrangements are being undertaken by EDD, in conjunction with TAMS, to provide for temporary car parking at the centre.
Under section 73 of the act, I have chosen to exercise my discretion and not formally refer the draft variation to the Standing Committee on Planning, Environment and Territory and Municipal Services. I have done this on this occasion as I believe the issues raised in the submissions have been adequately considered. There has been a very low level of formal interest during the public consultation process and there are no significant or outstanding issues.
Therefore, I think it is desirable that the territory plan now be varied to provide for the implementation of the agreed master plan outcomes for the Dickson centre as this will facilitate the timely redevelopment of certain areas of the centre and the upgrading of its existing public realm for the improvement and benefit of the community. I am pleased to table the approved variation to the territory plan No 311.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Minister for Tourism and Events and Minister for Community Services) (11.22): I thank the minister for planning for
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