Griffith/Narrabundah Community Association Inc.

PO Box 4127, Manuka ACT 2603

Website: www.gnca.org.au Email: [email protected]

NEWSLETTER Vol 36 September 2016

The October 2016 ACT Planning Policies for the Election - a new era for next ACT Government 1. The Big Picture After the election on 15 October, the number The Garden City national capital, is being of Members in the Legislative Assembly will tarnished and is not adapting to meet increase from 17 to 25 and there will be five future needs. At present: new electorates, each electing five Members.  Urban development proposals are often The Canberra inner south is situated in the ad hoc and appear to be focused on Kurrajong electorate. This is the most making a maximum short term populous, containing over 56,000 enrolled financial return rather than contributing voters. It extends from Watson in the north to the long term benefit of the city (Mr to Hume in the south and fromYarralumla in Fluffy blocks are being sub-divided to the west to Oaks Estate in the east. raise money for the government, without consideration of the impact on The only candidates who have had the community or where the blocks are experience in the current Assembly are situated). (Labor), Steve Doszpot  Developments are frequently not (Liberal) and (Greens). aligned with the Government’s There will therefore be at least two new planning strategies (The re- members from Kurrajong in the next development of Gowrie Court contains Assembly. Will they be from the major high density towers in a low density parties or from elswhere? Time will tell. environment - nowhere near any regional or town centres, and It is both opportune and timley to find out inconsistent with its own Planning what each candidate says they plan to do if Strategy). elected. There is also an opportunity for  Community land and facilities are members of the community to tell the being deconcessionalised, re-zoned and candidates what we would like the new sold for private use, particularly in the government to do. Inner North and South Canberra, where land sales are likely to be the most Although there are important issues relating profitable (The Brumbies to health, education, law and order and the deconcessionised their lease and sold huge increases in rates and taxes we are the land for more than $11 million to a enduring, the GNCA has decided to focus on developer. The government is now planning, because this is where most of our reaping millions in stamp duties and efforts have been directed since the last rates from the 132 apartments on site). election. And, without good planning, all the There is therefore an urgent need to other factors that contribute to our lifestyle develop a new plan for Canberra. will be degraded. A summary of our An open competition should be held to priorities is provided next. develop a new concept plan for the city of Canberra. 2. Public Housing  The Territory Plan is simplified so The management of public housing is very that it is easy to understand and so important. that all the rules relating to any There needs to be a clear definition of the particular block are available in a Salt and Pepper policy (i.e. where public single codified document. housing residences are situated) and a  All subjective criteria in the building consistent Territory-wide, suburb-specific codes are removed and the rules re- plan for the placement of public housing. defined; This will avoid concentrations within  The definition of plot ratio is particular streets and suburbs and provide modified so that it can be used to an integrated and balanced approach maintain greenery in suburban-zone across suburbs, and the Territory as a RZ1 blocks; whole. This plan must be made public  Access to sunlight is not reduced by after genuine consultation with the neighbouring buildings; community.  The plans for buildings that are The government must commit to enforce exempt from Development the provisions of its own tenancy Application requirements are publicly agreements and maintain its assets, accessible at least one month before especially those covering property work starts on the site. presentation and personal behaviour,  The compliance capacity for all through regular inspections, as part of building activities is strengthened; improving the lives of both its tenants,  Accountability in the approval their neighbours and the community. process for residential houses is restored, including the return of 3. Transport appeal rights to the ACT Civil and The Civic to Gungahlin light rail link Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) for should be stopped as soon as possible. neighbours in suburban-zone RZ1. It does not provide a ‘whole of Canberra’  ACAT is reformed so that it is less benefit and the cost-benefit analysis is legalistic and provides accessible, flawed and misleading. It will: timely and affordable resolution of  be inordinately expensive to install planning disputes; or an alternative and operate, dispute resolution system is  provide a slower transport system developed to achieve these ends. than rapid buses,  lack the flexibility needed in a 5. Inner South Issues modern dynamic city and a. Develop a Master Plan for the  destroy an avenue of magnificent Manuka Precinct, through a broad- trees which creates the entry to the based and genuine community National Capital, the Bush Capital, consultation process. the Garden City. b. Amend the Precinct Code for the Gowrie Court so that it is zoned 4. The Mechanics of Planning medium density RZ4 rather than high Planning processes are seemingly ad hoc density RZ5, and complies with the and confusing. rules of the Multi-Unit Housing The ACT Planning and Development Development Code and the ACT’s Act, the Territory Plan, and governance Planning Strategy. of the planning system should be c. Genuine consultation with the reviewed to ensure that the Garden City community so that the works programs landscape and architectural principles of for roads, parks, trees, parking, Canberra are maintained and enhanced footpaths etc. in the Inner South are in all developments. discussed with the local community In particular to ensure that: before being finalised. At present there is usually little or no consultation; merely announcements that things will We encourage you to raise these, and any be done. A forum should be held other issues with the candidates if your where the various annual programs for high priority concerns are not covered in the items above are discussed before our wish list. they are finalised. There will also be an opportunity at the d. Enforce regulations prohibiting ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum on Tuesday parking on verges in order to avoid 27th September -starting at 7 pm -see compaction of soil and consequential below. damage to the valuable urban forest.

The Inner South Canberra Community Council with its constituent Associations, like the GNCA, is convening a ‘Meet the Candidates’ event at the Eastlakes Club, corner of Oxley and Eyre Streets in Griffith, at 7 pm on Tuesday 27 September 2016. Put this event in your diary and be there to interact with the Kurrajong candidates.

Government suspends site and Canberra Avenue is already Grocon/GWS proposal for congested. We believe there must be a better Manuka Oval way to upgrade the oval without giving away On 5 August 2016 the government suspended public land for a developer to fund an the un-solicited bid by GROCON/GWS to upgrade to the oval. redevelop Manuka Oval and build 650 apartments between the oval and Manuka Government changes tack on Circle. Solar Access To quote the Chief Minister, Andrew Barr: In 2013 a Variation to the Territory Plan (V306) was approved to improve solar access “The Government will now establish a for all Canberrans. However, according to community panel to help inform a new, the building industry, on some small blocks detailed masterplan for the Oval and its 2 surrounds. The goal is simple: a precinct (≤250 m ) in the newer suburbs it was that preserves the heritage-listed elements proving expensive to comply because and attracts even more world-class sport to additional excavation was required to prevent Canberra. While the scale of the bid from overshadowing of neighboring blocks. the Greater Western Sydney Giants was Consequently, the building industry lobbied outside community expectations, some the government to reduce solar access development at the Oval is necessary to throughout Canberra including the older make sure it stays world standard. Any developed suburbs in the Inner North and development will need to improve the Oval, South. GNCA has been lobbying to prevent be high-quality, and sympathetic with its this happening during the last two years and surroundings.” on 2 August 2016 the government agreed to This is definetely a step in the right direction. restrict the reduced solar access conditions to However,it should be made clear that the the smaller blocks in newer suburbs and GNCA has never opposed improvements to leave V306 unchanged everywhere else. One the oval. The stands need to be covered, the significant win for the community and we are toilet facilites need to be improved and there very pleased that the current government needs to be more permanent seats installed. listed to the views of the community. However, 650 apartments between the stands at the oval and Manuka Circle is completely The ISCCC unacceptable, particularly as 500 new The GNCA participates in and supports the residences are planned for the Stuart Flats’ Inner South Canberra Community Council, which represents seven separate Community Blaxland Park Associations in Canberra’s Inner South (of We have made good progress in planning and which GNCA is one). Have a look at the developing Blaxland Park and 21 trees were website http://www.isccc.org.au/ to see its planted in late 2015. We are now examining current activities. options to increase these plantings in 2016. The ISCCC has a seat at the government’s high level Environment and Planning Forum Our Meetings and is a member of the Combined The GNCA meets on the second Wednesday of Community Councils of the ACT. It each month at 7:30 pm in the East Hotel, 69 provides a representative voice to Canberra Avenue. These meetings are open to government for the whole of Canberra’s the public, so please come along to participate. Inner South and has been very active on The next dates are: 14 September, 12 October, many issues affecting this area. The ISCCC 9 November & 14 December. Then there is meets at 7 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each our AGM, to be held at the Griffith month at the National Press Club, Barton and Community Hall at 7:30 pm on 22 October local residents are very welcome to attend 2016 and where Canberra author and historian and raise any issues of concern. Nick Swain will be talking about Manuka’s history and heritage. A big thankyou to the sponsors during 2016

Aubergine: A local favourite in Canberra, well known for its consistently high levels of food

and service; tel: 6260 8666 (http://www.auberginerestaurant.com.au/). Café Societea: Not just the high tea specialist, come and have a coffee or lunch with Jeanette and Philip; tel: 04 1376 1758. East Hotel & Apartments: 69 Canberra Av, Griffith. Studios, apartments and meeting facilities combined with a great location and excellent service; tel: 6295 6925. (www.easthotel.com.au). Gryphons: A chic venue Membershipwith a relaxed Application atmosphere, /offering Renewal a qualityForm dining experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner – or just a snack at any time; tel: 0419 618 679 If(http://gryphons.com.au you are not already a GNCA). member, please consider becoming one. The more members we have,Shop the-Rite greater: Provides our influenceall your grocery will be andwith liquor the Government needs; tel: 6295and in 0781. the community. Your Discount Chemist, Griffith: Over 11,000 products online at www.yourdiscountchemist.com.au; tel: 6295 6725.

Membership Application: New Member ( ) Renewal ( ) Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………. Full Address: ………………………………………………………......

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Membership Fee: $...... $10 per person for Annual Financial Membership

Donation: $...... Total amount: $...... (When using EFT, please add your name to the payment form. Bank: Westpac; BSB 032 722; Account 134058; Name: Griffith/Narrabundah Community Association.

Signature: ……………………………...... Date: …………………….. Please send completed form to PO Box 4127 Manuka, 2603 or scan & send to [email protected]