Over the past few weeks the Inner South Canberra Community Council has worked hard with the ACT Government and local residents’ groups to ensure there is effective public consultation on proposed variations to the Territory Plan which will vitally affect our communities.
We have had three well-attended public meetings where plans to rezone three public housing developments in the inner south (Gowrie Court, Griffith Flats, Red Hill Flats), and to allow a residential development next to the Harmonie German Club in Narrabundah, were the subject of vigorous discussion.
We were pleased that, arising from a request made at one of these meetings, the Government decided to extend the consultation period until 7 September 2014. Residents raised many issues such as building heights, traffic flows, the needs of public tenants and retention of open space.
There are many other issues currently before the ISCCC including the Canberra Brickworks development, impact on inner suburbs of paid parking in the parliamentary zone, future role of the National Capital Authority and Mr Fluffy asbestos. We have also briefed our new Planning Minister, Mick Gentleman, on our proposals for suburb precinct codes to ensure that our neighbourhoods retain their traditional character and garden city values.
So far ISCCC has resisted entering the Canberra light rail debate but if this initiative does proceed we want to make sure that the needs of the inner south are not overlooked in the city’s public transport planning. We would welcome your views. You can write to us on info@isccc.org.au
Gary Kent
President