Page 1053 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 5 April 2016
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Local shops are critically important. People like to walk to them. They are essential for people who have limited mobility or who perhaps cannot drive anymore but can conveniently access the local shops in their suburbs. We have seen across the city examples where local shops have done very well and others that have really deteriorated quite badly. Certainly one of the elements has been the provision of a local population base to support those shops. But I think the entrepreneurial character of business owners has also been a critical factor.
We believe it is important that people have shops that they can walk and cycle to in their local area, both for a healthy lifestyle and as part of contributing to a healthier community. Indeed the development may provide opportunities for Red Hill empty-nesters to age in place, allowing them to downsize while staying in their own community close to the shops, public transport and other facilities. This will also free up the larger traditional family homes for younger families, including those who may have grown up in the area and wish to continue to be part of their community.
It must be noted that this is a territory plan variation, not a specific development proposal or development application, so it is not possible to comment on the details of any future development at this point. Once a development application is lodged, it will follow the ACTPLA public consultation process, and residents will have the opportunity for public comments again. I will also be reviewing any proposed development to ensure there is a high quality urban design that seeks to meet the expectations both set out in the desired character statements, which will be added, and matching the discussions that people have had and the aspirations that many in the community have for the redevelopment of this site.
I will be supporting the government’s variation to the territory plan No 334 as I believe a rezoning to RZ5 will allow the flexibility for an innovative development that can provide a diversity of housing types. However, based on feedback from resident representatives, I believe we can provide more clarity and assurance that the character of the development will meet the expectations that residents have for the area and address concerns that have been raised by the community.
What is most interesting for me in this discussion is that one thing that everybody does seem to agree on is that the site is prime for redevelopment. The debate, I believe, has been about what should be the character of the development on that site—issues around height, what it is going to look like ultimately and whether it will fit in to the existing suburb.
To that end, in discussions with Minister Gentleman, I have agreed that Minister Gentleman will bring forward a technical amendment which will be released in late April to confirm the desired character of the development. This will provide a framework for potential developers, the community and those undertaking planning assessments. For example, provision is being made to allow some flexibility in building height to take advantage of the topography of the site to accommodate basement parking.
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