GNCA GOALS FOR 2017
1. Prosecute the achievement of and participate in the development of a plan for the Manuka Precinct, which reflects genuine community input across the local community organisations.
2. Maintain and develop Blaxland and Throsby Parks.
3. Ensure a good outcome for redevelopment of Stuart Flats and Gowrie Court that reflects the content of the 2012 ACT Strategic Plan.
4. Preserve all Community Facilities land in the Manuka Precinct.
5. Encourage the government to develop a consistent Territory-wide, suburb-specific plan for the placement of public housing residences that will avoid concentrations within particular streets and suburbs, and provide an integrated and balanced approach across the whole of the ACT.
Encourage government to enforce the provisions of its own tenancy agreements and maintain its assets, especially those covering property presentation and personal behaviour, through regular inspections, as part of improving the lives of both its tenants, their neighbours and the community.
6. Improve building redevelopment processes and management:
a. Simplify the Territory Plan to make it easily comprehensible,
b. Improve the planning disputes process to ensure accessible, timely and affordable resolution, either through reforming ACAT or introducing some alternative mechanism,
c. Improved public access to plans for Exempt Developments before these are commenced,
d. Redefine plot ratio rules to successfully maintain greenery on suburban zone RZ1 blocks,
e. Monitor and aim to ensure local developments comply with existing planning rules,
f. Enforce regulations introduced to protect Trees and Verges, especially near new builds/rebuilds,
g. Consultation on CS local works programs for roads, parks, trees, parking, footpaths etc. before these are finalized,
h. Revert to pre-Variation 306 setbacks for courtyard walls in RZ2 zones and
i. Retain V306 solar access regulations in existing suburbs.
7. Support and actively participate in the ISCCC.
HOW COULD THE GOVERNMENT LET THIS HAPPEN? THE SAGA OF 16 LANDSBOROUGH STREET, GRIFFITH
It should have been a straightforward knock-down rebuild. DA201629546, authorising the demolition of the existing dwelling and the construction of a two-storey house, was approved by the government on 19 July 2016. That should have meant that the building complied with the planning rules, but it wasn’t long before the neighbours realised something was wrong.
The southern boundary wall looked to be far too high (Fig 1). The height of the wall should not exceed 2.6 m to allow reasonable solar access, the approved plan indicates a height of 3.4 m (see Figure 2) and in fact what has been built is about 4.3m high. The neighbour’s solar access has been severely compromised.
But there was more. On further examination, we found that the 50% mandatory plot ratio rule appears to have been significantly exceeded. The awnings at the front of the building exceed the building line by more than the permitted 60 cm; the rear set-back of a cabana should have been 3 m but is only 1.6 m and the prescribed building envelope on the northern side of the building is penetrated by over 1.0m.
Questions for government?
How and why was the original plan approved?
The building being constructed deviates significantly from the approved plans – how was this allowed to happen?
What is the government going to do ensure the building complies with the planning rules?
Are any penalties to be applied for non-compliance?
What steps are going to be taken to ensure that a similar situation does not occur on another site?
We await a response.
LETTER TO CHIEF MINISTER, TREASURY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORATE RE THE PROPOSED RELOCATION OF STORAGE SHEDS AT GRIFFITH OVAL DATED 11 FEBRUARY 2017
The GNCA’s letter to David Jeffrey in the Chief Minister’s Directorate indicating that the GNCA has no difficulty with the proposed relocation of Easts’ Rugby clubs storage sheds at Griffith Oval, on the basis of certain undetakings given by Easts’, can be read here
GNCA SUBMISSION ON DV 348 “INCORPORATING ACTIVE LIVING PRINCIPALS INTO THE TERRITORY PLAN” DATED 10 FEBRUARY 2017
The GNCA’s submission on Draft Variation 348 “Incorporating Active Living Principles into the Territory Plan” can be read here. While we support the idea we feel the DV as drafted will be ineffective.
GNCA LETTER TO GARY RAKE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL, ENVIRONMENT, PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORATE ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT AT 16 LANDSBOROUGH ST BREACHING THE MANDATORY MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF 50% DATED 7 FEBRUARY 2017
The GNCA’s letter to Gary Rake alerting him that the development at 16 Landsborough St exceeded the mandatory maximum plot ratio of 50% can be read here
GNCA LETTER TO GARY RAKE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL, ENVIRONMENT, PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORATE ABOUT BREACHES OF DA CONDITIONS BY THE DEVELOPMENT AT 16 LANDSBOROUGH ST DATED 15 JANUARY 2017
The GNCA’s letter to Gary Rake alerting him to breaches in the DA approval at 16 Landsborough St and in particular that the wall constructed on the solar fence line was 4.4m high rather than the permitted 2.4m can be read here
GNCA LETTER TO THE CHIEF MINISTER ON PROTECTION OF CANBERRA’S URBAN FOREST DATED 8 DECEMBER 2016
The GNCA’s letter to the Chief Minister urging improved coordination between Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate and Transport and City Services Directorate to enable more effective protection of trees and verges during construction activity can be read here
GNCA LETTER TO MINISTER FITZHARRIS SEEKING A 40 KPH LIMIT ON CAPTAIN COOK OUTSIDE MANUKA PLAZA (COLES) DATED 8 DECEMBER 2016 The GNCA’s letter to Meegan Fitzharris, Minister for Transport and City Services, seeking the introduction of a 40 kph limit on Captian Cook Cr between Murray Cr and Canberra Av can be read here
LETTER FROM DORTE EKELUND RE GOWRIE COURT AND STUART FLATS DATED 26 OCTOBER 2016
We received a disappointing response from Dorte Ekelund to our letter to the Chief Minister. We feel that this did not tell us anything new and added little to the discussion. The letter can be read here
GNCA LETTER TO THE CHIEF MINISTER ON THE ZONING OF GOWRIE COURT AND STUART FLATS DATED 9 OCTOBER 2016
The GNCA’s letter to the Chief Minister on the Zoning of these two developments can be read here.
GNCA LETTER TO THE CHIEF MINISTER ON THE RELEASE OF CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING THE REJECTION OF THE MANUKA OVAL REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL DATED 9 OCTOBER 2016
The GNCA’s letter to the Chief Minister on the release of correspondence concerning the rejection of the proposal of Manuka Oval can be read here.
GNCA LETTER TO THE ACT GOVERNMENT ON THE URBAN SOUNDS DATED 23 SEPTEMBER 2016
The GNCA’s letter to the ACT Government on the Urban Sounds Discussion Paper can be read here.
GNCA LETTER TO MR MICK GENTLEMAN MLA RE SOLAR ACCESS ISSUES DATED 25 JULY 2016
The GNCA’s letter to the Minister for Planning and Land Management can be read here.
ISCCC LETTER TO MR ANDREW BARR MLA RE MANUKA OVAL DATED 25 JUNE 2016
The ISCCC’s letter to the Chief Minister can be read here.
KBRG & GNCA LETTER TO MR ANDREW BARR MLA RE MANUKA OCCASIONAL CHILDCARE CENTRE (MOCCA) DATED 10 JUNE 2016
The GNCA’s letter to the Chief Minister can be read here.
ISCCC LETTER TO MR ANDREW BARR MLA RE MANUKA GREEN DATED 26 MAY 2016
The ISCCC’s letter to the Chief Minister can be read here.
THE ACT GOVERNMENT MUST REJECT GWS/GROCON ‘MANUKA GREEN’ BID
The ACT Government should heed the call of inner south residents and reject the GWS/Grocon revised unsolicited bid to develop the Manuka Oval precinct, according to the Inner South Canberra Community Council (ISCCC). Read more here.
- Gary Kent addresses the angry crowd at the overflowing meeting
RESIDENTS REJECT GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY / GROCON MANUKA LAND GRAB
The Wesley Uniting Church Hall is noted for hosting classical music concerts. But on Thursday 28 April it was filled by about 400 angry residents. Read more here.
COMMUNITY MEETING ON GROCON MANUAKA GREEN PROPOSAL ON 28 APRIL 2016
A public meeting will be held at 7pm on Thursday 28 April 2016 at the Wesley Uniting Church Hall, 20-22 National Circuit, Forrest to consider the Manuka Green proposal generated by Grocon and the Great Western Sydney Giants. It is being organised by the Inner South Canberra Community Council, together with its constituent associations, like the GNCA. Read more here.
PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT OF MANUKA OVAL – WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH?
The the Inner South Canberra Community Council (ISCCC), the Kingston and Barton Residents Group (KBRG), and the Griffith Narrabundah Community Association (GNCA) seek clarity from the Chief Minister on the proposed redevelopment of Manuka Oval by Grocon. Read more here.
SOLAR ACCESS VARIATION DV 346 IS NOW OPEN FOR COMMENT
Under DV346 Canberra homes owners could have their solar access seriously compromised if the block on their northern aspect is ever redeveloped, so no home owner could ever be sure that their current solar access would be permanent. The Government is proposing to weaken rules that extended protection of the solar access of neighbours (ie preventing a development next door from depriving a resident of access to sunlight) and facilitated and encouraged the introduction of passive solar design features in new buildings and redevelopments. Read more here.
DRAINAGE IN STORM WATER CHANNELS IN GRIFFITH PARK CREATES A STAGNANT POOL
With the construction of the Amaya apartments in Austin St Griffith, there have been some reconstructions in the street of water drainage for improved drainage of water off the road. Read more here.