Page 2056 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 7 June 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Then there are carbon neutral buildings. The ACT will achieve its commitment to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2020. This provides an excellent base for buildings to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Good design that maximises the comfort of occupants and minimises the energy they need to use also helps reduce energy demand and contributes to the territory reaching its zero emissions targets. Demonstration precincts and projects have the ability to encourage climate-wise development and alteration of existing and new buildings by owners and developers. Achieving sufficient knowledge and upskilling of building and construction practitioners together with built environment design professionals will ensure that Canberra buildings are climate-wise using contemporary building materials and techniques to ensure the amenity, character and livability of Canberra for future generations.
Then there is medium-density infill. We know from recent community and stakeholder engagement activities that Canberrans generally support a more compact city. We know that they want more housing choice and affordability, better quality urban design and sustainability in new developments. As part of the government’s work on the city and gateway urban renewal strategy, a new approach is being considered to deliver better urban design outcomes for new development in the city centre and along Northbourne Avenue.
While primary controls for the built form outcomes are set by the National Capital Authority, there is opportunity for the ACT government to collaborate with the NCA to achieve innovative and sustainable design outcomes in this significant location. A refresh of the relevant precinct codes in the Territory Plan could propose simplification of rules and criteria and introduce a performance-based approach to access new development. My directorate is currently benchmarking urban design guidelines in use in other jurisdictions such as the successful New South Wales model of state of environment planning policy 65, design quality of residential flat development or SEPP65. These area-specific and design-driven codes will achieve innovative and sustainable built form outcomes in this key urban renewal area.
There are also innovative planning and engagement approaches. One of the key priorities in my statement of planning intent is delivering an outcome-focused planning system to reward design excellence and innovation. Illustrating how the government is encouraging innovative planning approaches is the current work to establish a design review panel to improve the quality of design outcomes for new development across Canberra. Importantly, we are progressing this in partnership with the NCA to ensure a consistently high quality of design across the city regardless of which planning body is the decision-maker.
The panel will consist of a range of experts from the built environment sector who will offer objective and independent advice on incoming development applications. I am taking on board the learnings from design review panels elsewhere in other states of Australia to ensure that our approach here adds significant value to incentivising
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video