Page 3727 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 29 October 2014
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did not get the city of Portland to where it is today. Not only is Portland regularly included in lists of the world’s most livable cities but also investment in the city continues to go from strength to strength. The Portland light rail project is estimated to have generated more than $10 billion worth of investment within walking distance of its stations since the project started. This level of growth has valuable lessons that we can apply here to realise commensurate investment in Canberra.
But we do not need to look as far away as the United States for examples of high quality urban development. In our city, precincts such as New Acton, Braddon and Kingston Foreshore are examples of how far-sighted design can create world-class urban renewal outcomes. This is about setting a high bar for what we want from Canberra in the future. To create a vibrant and modern city that attracts and retains creativity, wealth and entrepreneurship across a range of fields, we must focus on driving economic growth and opportunity through urban renewal. Light rail offers Canberra the opportunity to do just this.
With its fixed infrastructure and ability to relate to surrounding streets and suburbs, light rail will promote urban renewal along the route, creating streetscapes and surrounding areas that are hubs of activity. Dickson, at the centre of the first stage of light rail, is one of the best examples of how it will transform Canberra. Dickson is already a bustling economic hub, but being connected to the city by high frequency light rail and having the developmental certainty that comes from the permanent nature of such infrastructure will ensure that it has the impetus to become an even more vibrant area. It will not necessarily mimic New Acton or Braddon, but it will enjoy a similar level of growth and change.
The capital metro project will also provide the catalyst for the most significant renewal of public housing that our city has seen, as well as private development along the corridor. The public housing stock along Northbourne Avenue is a major urban renewal challenge. Maintaining these properties and finding a suitable match to the needs of our housing tenants is an increasing challenge. They are among the most difficult properties to allocate across our Housing portfolio and they have the highest level of turnover. Canberra’s light rail system will, as in other cities, support a long-term increase in the value of property along its route and this increase will allow the redevelopment of public housing stock on Northbourne Avenue in progressive stages. The redevelopment of other key areas of Northbourne Avenue will provide a fresh look to the entrance of the national capital, as well as introduce a vibrant mix of uses and pedestrian activity, and will ultimately improve the efficiency and sustainability of the city.
Capital metro will also support the revitalisation of public housing through the construction of replacement stock that will provide accommodation which has higher standards, lower running costs and, most importantly, better amenity for tenants. The new stock will be provided on a roof-for-roof basis, maintaining the number of public housing properties, and will be spread through the metropolitan area. In delivering this program, Housing ACT will work closely with tenants and community service providers.
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