Page 3678 - Week 10 - Thursday, 19 September 2019
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Dickson pool is a very important part of the area and a place where I spent many happy days in summer in my childhood and younger years. Last week I was very pleased to announce that the Dickson pool forecourt will get a refresh for the upcoming summer. Visitors to Dickson pool will soon enjoy an exciting new outdoor space with more shade, trees, soft surfaces, bike parking, seating and public art by an artist from nearby ANCA Gallery.
During the community engagement on section 72 Dickson we heard that one of the community’s top priorities for section 72 was upgrades to the Dickson pool forecourt. These improvements will initially be temporary so that we can talk to pool users in the wider inner north community to find out what is working, how people use the space and what could be improved. Following this feedback the government will work with the community to develop a detailed design for permanent works.
Last week I also had the pleasure of joining Minister Berry at section 72 for the announcement of the cohort and concept designs for Common Ground Dickson. Common Ground, an ACT Labor election commitment, will provide long-term housing for people facing chronic homelessness, focusing on supporting women and children, families and single parents and older women—growing cohorts in need of assistance. Through sensitive design, which was shaped by previous section 72 consultations, Common Ground Dickson will provide four new social and affordable homes with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units to support the needs of a mix of tenants. In time, the tenants will be part of our inner north community, close to facilities, services and public transport at the Dickson group centre.
Common Ground will also deliver more green space, trees, play spaces and an attractive and safe environment for pedestrians and cyclists. I encourage residents of the inner north to go to the ACT government’s your say website to learn more about Common Ground Dickson and see the designs. I believe Common Ground Dickson will be something all residents in the inner north can be proud of, and I look forward to following the progress of this important project.
On the other side of Cowper Street, the City Renewal Authority is exploring ways to reinvigorate the Dickson group centre while retaining the special qualities that make Dickson one of Canberra’s most distinctive precincts. Following the release of the Dickson Place plan, the City Renewal Authority is rolling out its Woolley Street project, which is a series of ideas to improve access, amenity and public use along one of Canberra’s most unique streets.
Visitors to Woolley Street will see a temporary gate among other installations to celebrate everything that is special and quirky about Dickson. With artwork by local Canberra artist Jodie Cunningham, the gate is a demonstration of the vibrancy of Dickson and its people. The Woolley Street gate is already a highlight on social media, and I am sure many Canberrans will enjoy it as we spend more time outdoors in the warmer months.
Finally, I acknowledge the hard work of Jason Mann and the My Dickson Town team. The town team is made up of locals and business owners with strong connections to
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