Page 2561 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 9 August 2016

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The implementation of the actions listed in the statement will continue to be a priority for our government in 2016-17. I will continue to engage with local residents on what is important to them when planning for a Canberra of tomorrow. My statement of planning intent will continue to provide guidance over the coming five years as the government continues to revitalise areas such as the Tuggeranong Valley.Earlier this year I led a delegation of ACT business and industry leaders to cities in the US and Canada. We visited sites in Tucson, Seattle, Portland and Vancouver. These cities showcased best practice urban design, transport planning and sustainable development. Of particular value for the ACT government and associated delegation members was the opportunity to see firsthand successful light rail outcomes. Because Canberra is transitioning from a regional city to a major metropolitan centre and is embarking on a period of significant urban renewal, the delegation visited examples of housing choices, planning for active travel, built form helping with climate change mitigation and adaptation, and transit-oriented development.

Following the delegation, the ACT government is working to share knowledge gained with the Canberra community. For example, Canadian urban planners from Vancouver, Mr Larry Beasley and Mr Gordon Harris, visited Canberra in April and during a series of workshops and public addresses during their visit Mr Beasley and Mr Harris shared their experiences on creating successful, sustainable cities. They were also impressed with the initiatives that the ACT has in place to deliver world-class planning outcomes.I move on to point out that successful urban renewal also contributes to increased sustainability. Urban renewal sites often make better use of energy, water and transport infrastructure and create places and spaces that mitigate or adapt to the effects of climate change in our region. Renewing the territory’s suburbs to ensure their contribution to Canberra’s urban renewal program is a key priority for government and I am pleased to say that we are currently having valuable conversations with the local community about how Tuggeranong could grow over the coming decades, including a dedicated community panel. The community panel will look at whether a viable, sustainable and equitable development is possible in western Greenway. This will help inform any decision taken by government, ensuring the decision is the right one for the environment and, of course, the community.

While remaining focused on renewing Tuggeranong to allow new opportunities and to breathe new life into the town centre, this is yet another example of how this government is driving the growth and prosperity of Canberra. I look forward to the outcomes of the community panel and hearing what the Tuggeranong community want to say for the valley.In continuing the conversation with our community, the government’s new Your Say website provides people of all ages with the ability to interact with the planning process and contributes to a stronger Canberra into the future. I am pleased to see greater participation from the younger generation in the planning process since we have implemented these new consultation channels. As was evident during the development of my statement of planning intent, getting views from a broad


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