The GNCA appeared before the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Planning, Public Works and Territory and Municipal Services to give evidence in relation to DV306. An excerpt from the draft transcript giving the Testimony of David Denham, John Edquist and Margaret Fanning is here:Planning Committee Evidence
You can read the full transcript at http://www.hansard.act.gov.au/hansard/2009/comms/planning39.pdf
The Griffith Narrabundah Community Association is proposing that Block 49 Section 78 be named Blaxland Park. Block 49 is the old Griffith Primary School oval adjoining Blaxland Crescent. The area in question is currently zoned Urban Open Space, but has no identifier other than the Block and Section Number.
We propose the name Blaxland Park because Blaxland Crescent is adjacent to the open space and because Gregory Blaxland, together with William Lawson and William Wentworth, set off in May 1813 to cross the Blue Mountains. Therefore 2013 will, as well as being the centenary of Canberra, be the bi-centenary of Blaxland’s exploration.
We believe it would be timely and appropriate to name this area Blaxland Park in Canberra’s centenary year.
At present Block 49 is open grass land surrounded by mature trees. TAMS’ Urban Treescapes Group plans to plant more trees around the perimeter of the site during 2012-13, and we are hopeful that there will be more investment on this area in the future .
Both of the adjoining blocks on either side fronting Blaxland Crescent, Blocks 45 and 46, are zoned CFZ Community Facility. Baptist Community Services is currently building an aged persons facility on Block 45.
Since the publication of the Hawke Report in 2011, on the role and function of the National Capital Authority, and the Australian Government’s response, there has been considerable interest in the issue. The NCA Renewal Report was written by Tony Powell in 2009 and has been updated to the situation in June 2012. It is an excellent review of the problems we face in the National Capital and the buck passing that appears still to be taking place between the ACT and the Australian governments. The problems are not made any easier by the apparent lack of commitment by the Federal Government to the National Capital Authority and certainly a lack of adequate resources.
NCA RENEWAL REPORT (Updated 2012)
ACT Planning Variation Proposals
- ACT Planning Strategy – we lodged a submission on 12 February 2012; you can read it here GNCA to ESD
- Territory Plan Amendments – these were made on 9 May 2012 to provide for increased public notification and consultation for development proposals; you can read about it here: Planning Notification
Rezoning of Brumbies’ site
This continues to be a ‘hot’ issue with the Brumbies being very active in seeking ways of redeveloping the site.
Firstly, there is the recent approval of DV307 to rezone the site. The approval did take into account the recommendations of the Standing Committee. You can read the Notification here: DV307 notification May 2012
The next step is expected to the lodging of a Development Application for apartments.
Would you support the construction of 150 apartments on the former South Canberra Bowling Club/Brumbies ACT Rugby HQ site?
The case for re-zoning from ‘Leisure and Accommodation’ to ‘Medium Density housing’ is flawed. Here are a few of points to illustrate this:
- Part of the Block is prone to flooding and unsuitable for any housing – which is why it has never been zoned as a residential area.
- RZ4 zoning breaches Government undertakings that multi unit residential development will be restricted to areas within 200–300 m of a commercial core or local centre.
- The height and mass of the buildings in the proposed development would be out of scale with the surrounding dwellings.
- The existing infrastructure of Griffith was never designed or intended to sustain such a high density of urban living.
- It is not consistent with the 2004 Griffith Neighbourhood Plan, which states:
‘Whatever the change in the low-density (residential) character, established street trees and mature garden setting will remain.’
‘Maintain and enhance the existing street pattern by ensuring buildings relate to the street rather than detract from it (as a general strategy).
‘Maintain and enhance physical facilities for community-based activities’.
New Star Restaurant,Griffith Shops, Redevelopment
- 6 July 2011 – Redevelopment of DA201018251 approved subject to several amendments:
- Reduced floor area and revised basement floor;
- Deletion of outdoor seating area;
- New outdoor room/balcony to rear of the block;
- Windows and doors revised; and,
- Internal floor plan revised – new internal disable access ramp; airlock to front entry etc.
- GNCA advised that development will be modelled on Rock Salt in Hawker. Still concerned about noise impacts on local residents from this development.
Baptist Aged Care Facility in Griffith
- 12 September ACAT approved DA 201018575 (160 bed Residential Aged Care Facility), subject to some minor conditions regarding additional parking places and a noise analysis.
- Consequently we withdrew the appeal against DA201119864 re removal of a storage tank from the site.
ACTPLA rejects Baptists’ proposal to redevelop Morling Lodge, Red Hill
- ACT Planning and Land Authority has rejected the development application by the Baptist Community Services to redevelop the aged care facility at Morling Lodge, Red Hill.
- ACTPLA’s CEO Neil Savery said that the BCS application for five two-storey buildings containing 114 independent living units was inconsistent with the Territory Plan.
- According to the decision, the application did not respect the surrounding areas, was inconsistent with the Red Hill Neighbourhood Plan and provided poor outcomes for it’s future residents, with insufficient solar access, insufficient private open space and poor pedestrian access to adjoining streets.
- Read the full decision in this PDF.
Stuart Street Apartments Development
- appeal lodged by residents against DA201017954 and 201018065.
- on 4 October ACAT approved the proposed development subject to some minor conditions on pathways.
You can always take the opportunity to tell the planners and your local MLAs what you think. It’s time to stop this ad hoc piecemeal planning in our suburbs. Write letters to the Editor of the Canberra Times or the Editor of The Chronicle or write to your MLAs.
Rezoning of Brumbies’ site
- 14 March – We lodged the objection against DV307 – the rezoning of the Brumbies’ site for apartment building
- 5 April – We wrote to the Chief Minister and all MLAs reinforcing the objections and seeking an opportunity to discuss with them
- 14 April – We met with Simon Corbell, MLA, to discuss our concerns
- 12 May – We met with MLAs, Caroline Le Couteur and Shane Rattenbury, to discuss matters
Baptist Aged Care Facility
- 10 March – we lodged an appeal against DA201018575 – the size and character of the building for the site
- 14 April – we attended the mediation session at ACAT, with no successful resolution
- we lodged FOI requests with Chief Minister’s Department, Department of Land & Property Services, ACTPLA and TAMS and obtained documents to assist in our case
- now preparing for hearing to be held 18 – 22 July
New Star Restaurant, Griffith Shops, Redevelopment
- 6 July 2011 – Redevelopment of DA201018251 approved subject to several amendments:
- Reduced floor area and revised basement floor;
- Deletion of outdoor seating area;
- New outdoor room/balcony to rear of the block;
- Windows and doors revised; and,
- Internal floor plan revised – new internal disable access ramp; airlock to front entry etc.
- GNCA advised that development will be modelled on Rock Salt in Hawker. Still concerned about noise impacts on local residents from this development.
ACTPLA Planning Variation Proposals
- ACTPLA advised of DV302 planning variations which include significant neighbourhood planning issues.
- 23 May – we lodged a submission.
ACTPLA rejects Baptists’ proposal to redevelop Morling Lodge
- ACT Planning and Land Authority has rejected the development application by the Baptist Community Services to redevelop the aged care facility at Morling Lodge, Red Hill.
- ACTPLA’s CEO Neil Savery said that the BCS application for five two-storey buildings containing 114 independent living units was inconsistent with the Territory Plan.
- According to the decision, the application did not respect the surrounding areas, was inconsistent with the Red Hill Neighbourhood Plan and provided poor outcomes for it’s future residents, with insufficient solar access, insufficient private open space and poor pedestrian access to adjoining streets.
- The full decision can be found at ACTPLA’s website.
Stuart Street Apartments Development
- appeal lodged by residents against DA201017954 and 201018065. Their report so far:
- five days before the hearing start, developers advised that the proposal was changed – by converting proposed four x three bedroom apartments into four x two bedroom apartments, so proposal now for construction of 14 two bedroom apartments and 17 one bedroom apartments
- changes had the effect of reducing the plot ratio to below 50%, increasing solar access, reduce oversighting and other such difficulties, so the proposal was less likely to be rejected.
- The matter has so far taken 3 days and will be continued on Friday 24 June and Monday 27 June.
Would you support the construction of 150 apartments on the former South Canberra Bowling Club/Brumbies ACT Rugby HQ site?
ACTPLA has proposed Draft Variation 307 to the Territory Plan to rezone Block 15 Section 42 Griffith, to allow construction of 150 one and two bedroom units on the site. This would be a change from RZ1 to RZ4 Medium Density Residential Zone allowing buildings up to 3 storeys with attics and basements. Any change to the Territory Plan should lead to improvements in the lifestyle of Canberrans, but this proposal has nothing to do with good planning.
The case for re-zoning from ‘Leisure and Accommodation’ to ‘Medium Density housing’ is flawed. Here are a few of points to illustrate this:
- Part of the Block is prone to flooding and unsuitable for any housing – which is why it has never been zoned as a residential area.
- RZ4 zoning breaches Government undertakings that multi unit residential development will be restricted to areas within 200–300 m of a commercial core or local centre.
- The height and mass of the buildings in the proposed development would be out of scale with the surrounding dwellings.
- The existing infrastructure of Griffith was never designed or intended to sustain such a high density of urban living.
- It is not consistent with the 2004 Griffith Neighbourhood Plan, which states:
‘Whatever the change in the low-density (residential) character, established street trees and mature garden setting will remain.’
‘Maintain and enhance the existing street pattern by ensuring buildings relate to the street rather than detract from it (as a general strategy).
‘Maintain and enhance physical facilities for community-based activities’.
- From 2004-2009 (ABS estimates) the population of Griffith has increased by an average of 1.7% per annum; it is not decreasing as stated by ACTPLA. There is no need for this type of development.
- After Kingston, Griffith has the highest population density (1576 people/km2 in mid-2009) of all the suburbs in South Canberra. Making an ‘island’ of medium density housing in a parkland corridor from Manuka to Mugga Way significantly reduces the remaining open space available.
- The traffic analysis for the proposal is defective. It concluded that the proposed development ‘will not have any significant adverse impact on the surrounding road network in terms of traffic efficiency or road safety’, in spite of the fact that when the surveys were carried out in October and December 2009 both Flinders Way and Austin Street were already overloaded at peak times.
- There will be a loss of 46 trees and more grass will be turned to asphalt.
- Block 15 is subject to a concessional lease, which was issued for the purpose of running a bowling club. Such concessional leases were issued in recognition of the community’s need for areas for sport, recreation and other various other community activities. That need has in no way been diminished.
- With the plethora of new and planned apartments in Kingston and Griffith there are already plenty of options for everyone who requires medium density living in the area.
Where to send your comments
Full details of the proposal are available at: www.actpla.act.gov.au/territoryplan (via the link to Draft Variations to the Territory Plan.
Written comments on the Draft Variation are to be submitted by COB Tuesday 15 March 2011.
They should be addressed to Manager Development Policy Section, ACTPLA at GPO Box 1908, Canberra ACT 2601 or via Email to terrplan@act.gov.au
Contact details for Molonglo MLAs are:
All at: ACT Legislative Assembly, GPO Box 1020, Canberra, ACT 2601.
For more information contact GNCA.