The Brumbies application for development approval to redevelop their club house site in Griffith has been called in and approved by Minister Corbell, after four months of consideration by the planning elements within the Environment and sustainable Development Directorate. Read further details here. The Ministers media release is here, and the University of Canberra media release is here.
Past Issues
The Government has now released the May 2012 “Flinders Way Traffic Calming Scheme Evaluation”, at the same time that Minister Rattenbury released the Government’s proposed response to the Evaluation, thereby preempting any possibility of public input into the next steps.
The GNCA has studied the evaluation and has made a number of recommendations as to how traffic flows along Flinders Way could be made safer without the need for “speed cushions”, together with a number of comments about the evaluation itself. Our comments can be read here GNCA recommendations on Flinders Way calmers.
The Brumbies have lodged a DA proposing the construction of 134 apartments of various sizes (one, two and three bedroom) at their club house site in Griffith. These will be located in seven three storey buildings with one level of basement parking below ground (and flood water) level. The period for comments closed on 21 November 2012. This had been extended by two weeks from 7 November when we pointed out to ACTPLA that not all the information required had initially been provided by the proponents.
We now await ACTPLA’s decision on the application. The GNCA lodged a submission about the DA. You can read it here GNCA Submission on DA 2012222261
As expected, the Brumbies have now lodged a DA for the construction of 134 one, two and three bedroom apartments on their current club house site. The DA is very large, comprising 448 pages which takes up over 185 MB. You can access the documents at http://apps.actpla.act.gov.au/pubnote/pubnoteDetail_new.asp?DA_no=201222226. Any objections must be lodged with ACTPLA by cob Wednesday 7 November 2012.
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
- ACT Transport Strategy –we lodged a submission on 12 November 2011; you can read it here GNCA Submission on draft Transport for Canberra policy Nov 2011
- DV306 – we lodged a submission on 1 June 2012; you can read it here GNCA Submission to Assembly Cttee on DV 306 2012
- Commercial Zones Discussion Paper seeking community input on a review of the Commercial Zones. 4 July – we submitted a response and you can read the pdf here: GNCA Response to Commercial Zones Discussion Paper 4 JULY. No update on this as yet.
- DV302 planning variations which include significant neighbourhood planning issues. We lodged a submission with ACTPLA and the Standing Planning Committee of the Legislative Assembly. The DV came into effect from 4 November 2011.
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.