Page 776 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 8 April 2014
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social media, workshops, feedback forms and, of course, the traditional written submission.
Earlier last year, in March, 15,000 people participated in consultations to shape the future of the city. From those consultations it is clear that Canberrans love many parts of the city centre but want to see change and for it to have a stronger identity—one that is less about cars and car parks and more about people, connections and places.
Canberrans feel that the city centre should be the cultural and economic focus of life in Canberra; have strong walkable connections both within the city and to the lake; develop a clearer and stronger identity as a local, regional and national capital; respect Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin’s planning ideals, particularly through its views, vistas and treed avenues; have a good range of innovative and well-designed facilities; be more alive, more active and attractive to locals and visitors alike; and be serviced by better public transport systems.
One of the strongest messages received through the consultation from the community was that people were keen to see action. The plan acknowledges these messages and indicates how change will be managed across the city’s different “character areas” to deliver desired outcomes across six themes—growth, land use and development, transport and movement, community infrastructure, public realm and design, and strengthening character.
This plan puts forward a real direction for growth and change, and it is a strong base to build on as we move into our second century of the city. The plan provides a long-term spatial and strategic framework for growth. It brings together a range of issues and outcomes that will need to be balanced and managed over time. It provides a way forward for the government, the community and others with an interest in the future of our city centre.
The first of the six key themes under the plan is “growth”, which includes developing a vibrant centre that stimulates business, education, living, entertainment and recreational functions. This includes meeting the needs of a growing and changing residential population and a city centre with the amenities, services, jobs and infrastructure to attract people, business and investment.
Government and private investment will play a strong role in achieving city plan outcomes to support effective involvement in delivering change. The plan identifies a range of policy and planning activities and settings to support that investment, including changes to economic, fiscal and regulatory settings such as the lease variation charge and redevelopment incentives; individual site investigations; feasibility and design for major projects such as city to the lake and capital metro; planning for land release to maximise investment; built form and urban design guidelines, including guidelines for the release of the two key gateway sites around City Hill and to enhance the Sydney and Melbourne buildings; strategic links with other organisations, activities and events to maximise investment opportunities; and land use strategies, including retail and commercial approaches, to support viable and competitive neighbourhoods.
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