Gungahlin Planning Study

Planning Minister Andrew Barr has launched a study of Gungahlin’s future requirements for the supply of commercial and community land.

Calling for community input, Mr Barr said the ACT Government has invested $200,000 in the study which will “focus on the long-term commercial and community land supply for Gungahlin Town Centre, the character of future development in the town centre and its interpretation with existing development.”

Both the ACT Government and the Gungahlin Community Council (GCC) see the opportunity to increase employment opportunities as a key outcome from the study.

Initial general reaction has been positive. President of the Gungahlin Community Council, Alan Kerlin, posted the map above on the GCC website, providing the following comments:

• Our general impression is that it is great to see some planners working on this project who are as passionate about “saving the town centre” as we are.
• We feel that the more intense commercial use could extend into the areas shown as lighter blue (lower density) to th south, as there would be no residential impacts, and more intense equals more jobs.
• The “gateway” treatment of the top end of Hibberson Street will be critical to get right, as only “destination traffic” should proceed into the town centre. “Through traffic” should be diverted around the centre down either of the Valley Way or Anthony Rolfe Drive. Hibberson Street must be a “high friction” thoroughfare (something like Childers Street at ANU) to aid this discouragement of traffic.
• A similar gateway will be needed at the Ginn Street western end of the town centre to discourage morning commuters from going through the centre.
• There will need to be careful controls via the precinct plan on the development of the C5 zone “Mixed Use” development framing the town centre to prevent more of the Anthony Rolfe Drive kind of 3-storey-townhouse-with-shop effect.
• The business park areas should borrow design hints from Brindabella Park, with setbacks rather than built-to-boundary and greenspaces in order to ensure a highly attractive office environment.
• The transition from offices to the existing surrounding residential areas will have to be carefully controlled.

There is a strong general level of engagement between the ACT Government and the GCC, with genuine dialogue and comprehension of the complex issues that the community faces.

The Gungahlin Planning Study is another step in continuing that engagement and focusing on the achievement of positive outcomes for the residents of Gungahlin.

Innovation Critical to Canberra’s Future

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has launched a report on the Study of the ACT Innovation System. The study, conducted by Howard Partners in Deakin, provides an analysis of the innovation “industry” in the ACT, compares our system with studies of similar systems in other areas, and provides recommendations on best practice approaches.

Innovation, and in particular, the drawing together of the ACT’s research institutions with our technology and creative industries, is critical to Canberra’s future.

As the Chief Minister puts it:

“As the home to internationally renowned research and education institutions, and a large pool of highly skilled and talented labour force, the ACT’s credentials as a leading knowledge capital and centre of innovation are indisputable. However, in the face of increased competition the ACT Government has taken this opportunity to take stock of the current situation in order to better harness its R&D and creative innovation capabilities to ensure that the Territory remains competitive in the global economy.”

The study will be a key document at the Canberra 2020 Forum to be held at the Convention Centre on 5 April.

Solar Power Plant Feasibility Study

The announcement today of a joint-funded feasibility study into a Solar Power Plant in the ACT is exciting news for the Territory.

ActewAGL and the ACT Government will explore options for a large-scale reduction in our greenhouse emissions through the building of a facility capable of supplying power to thousands of ACT homes.

The terms of reference for the feasibility study will include (but not be limited to):

• Assess options for suitable location/s for such a facility, having regard to land availability, grid connectivity, environmental considerations and access for students and visitors;
• Determine the optimum size of the solar facility in terms of initial capacity and the potential for future expansion, and identify the environmental benefits flowing from the proposed solar facility in terms of emissions reductions;
• Assess current solar technologies and determine the optimum proven technology for large-scale generation, having regard to cost efficiency and the environmental impact of proven technology, and the ability to expand output using emerging new technology;
• Determine the cost of constructing and operating the solar facility and the level of indirect or direct subsidy, if any, that might be required to make the investment commercially viable, with consideration to regulatory and electricity pricing implications;
• Undertake a full cost-benefit analysis of the solar facility proposal, having regard to net environmental impact, cost efficiency, social equity, public safety and Federal and ACT Government greenhouse gas policy;
• Compare the cost efficiency of the proposed solar facility withy mainstream electricity generation and any other local green energy generation alternatives that might be viable;
• Identify and consider all planning and statutory requirements relating to the proposal; and
• Provide a report to the joint parties by 1 July 2008.

Review of NCA Planning Powers Overdue

I understand the Rudd Government has given the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Capital Authority new terms of reference for a review of the NCA’s planning powers. This is well overdue.

There continues to be a level of duplication, misunderstanding, and out and out confusion about planning in the ACT. My views are straight forward:

• To give the democratically elected ACT Government jurisdiction over planning in the ACT
• Ensure the NCA has appropriate resources to effectively plan and manage the Parliamentary Triangle
• For the NCA to do that in consultation with the ACT Government; that is to ensure there are rigorous processes and structures in place to assess and communicate planning issues between the NCA and ACTPLA
• Make sure the Planning Authority in the ACT has the appropriate people, tools, knowledge and processes to efficiently manage planning in the Territory. With the current reform agenda and a restructured Territory Plan on the table for consultation, we need to get behind the ACT Government to ensure we end up with a planning system that is simpler to use, quicker to achieve outcomes and efficient in its delivery.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee has an ideal opportunity to end the confusion and to straighten out once and for all, which agency has responsibility for which area and most importantly, how we properly plan for Canberra’s long term future as both the Capital City of Australia and as a home to over 320,000 people.