Page 124 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 February 2018
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public transport routes, and by balancing where greenfield expansion occurs. Town and group centres across the city have benefited from the master plan program. The plan is setting directions to facilitate change and create stronger communities for our town and group centres, rural villages and transport corridors.
The master plans set strategic directions, with objectives and strategies to facilitate development and change in a particular area over time. They work within the context of what is important about a place and how we can enhance its character and quality. This is done in consideration of the character of the centre and the opportunities and constraints of that context. The opportunities are the positives where we can create and innovate to enhance these centres.
Implementation of many of the recommendations and directions set out in master plans for these centres will be realised over the longer term, as they are dependent on capital works funding from the ACT government, investment decisions by private business and land availability. They may be implemented through variations to the Territory Plan, the sale of territory-owned land—land release, if you like—capital works and the uptake of opportunities by private developers and the community.
Since release of the master plans for Tuggeranong, Belconnen and Woden town centres, the government has actioned many of the recommendations related to facilitating land release, public domain upgrades and improvements to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. These include upgrades to Anketell Street in Tuggeranong, the revitalisation of Lathlain Street and Emu Bank in Belconnen, and the upgrades to the sport and recreation facilities and active travel infrastructure in Woden.
Community involvement in helping to define what is valued for an area is an important part of every master plan’s development. We discuss the issues and challenges of each area with its community, but we need to be mindful that not everyone in the community wants the same thing, and we aim to hear from a cross-section of the community while also considering the future community. This helps promote a better understanding about the potential for future growth and the opportunities that urban renewal can offer.
We also engage with key stakeholders, with face-to-face meetings with groups and individuals throughout the planning studies. In particular, I mention the community panel process that was established for the Curtin and Kippax group centre master plans, given the strong community interest in these centres. The community panel process allowed us to draw out a range of issues of concern to the community and address them in a constructive and positive environment. The results are now being tested with the broader community.
Similarly, last year we hosted the roundtable that Mr Steel talked about, focusing on the delivery of the Woden town centre master plan. It brought the community representatives, business leaders and key stakeholders together on the planning, urban renewal and transport issues affecting Woden town centre. While many describe Woden by saying, “Woden—it’s okay,” the Woden roundtable enabled discussions on residential and commercial opportunities, public and community space, active and public transport, community services and the possible renewal of older buildings. This
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