Minister's Welcome
I would like to welcome you all to the August 2017 newsletter to keep you all updated on the progress of the ACT Government's work to implement my Statement of Planning Intent.
I am happy to announce there has been progress on many of the actions outlined in the Statement of Planning Intent.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in community and stakeholder consultations for the projects and initiatives in this issue of the newsletter; your involvement and feedback help us improve planning outcomes in the ACT.
Mick Gentleman MLA
Minister for Planning and Land Management
Guess what? We're engaged
A commitment to making sure all Canberrans can have their say on decisions that affect them.
That's why ACT Government is now focusing on practical community engagement that clearly sets out how everyone can be involved in the decision-making processes, and we don't just hear the loudest voices.
The government is committed to giving you every opportunity to have a say, in a way that works best for you. If you're busy when drop-in information sessions are held, or find meetings intimidating or don't have the time to submit detailed written submissions, you won't be excluded from consultation.
The government has engaged nationally recognised experts to give Canberra-specific advice on best-practice engagement. Each directorate is hard at work rethinking and reshaping how it engages with the community and how to do it better.
Helpful hints to have your voice heard:
- Visit the Your Say website and find a project that interests you.
- Subscribe to the OurCanberra newsletter and be kept up-to-date with news and engagement opportunities.
- Share your interest with friends, relatives and others in your networks.
Getting involved with developments in your area
The ACT Government is introducing guidelines to encourage developers to talk more to the community before submitting a development application (DA).
When it comes to development and growth in Canberra, we want the community to be fully informed and use their local knowledge and ideas to add value to projects.
While developers are currently required to consult with the community before submitting a DA to the planning and land authority on a major project, there are no guidelines on how they should do this. The draft Pre DA Consultation Guidelines set out minimum engagement requirements for:
- a building with three or more storeys and 15 or more dwellings
- a building with a gross floor area of more than 5000m2
- more than one building, where the buildings have a total gross floor area of more than 7000m2
- a building or structure more than 25 metres above finished ground level
- a variation of a lease to remove its concessional status.
The draft guidelines require developers to make planning documents available online, such as the site plan, elevations and landscaping plans, including proposed materials and finishes. They will be required to hold face-to-face engagement sessions with a diverse cross-section of the community, and to provide a report to the planning and land authority on the consultation.
Tharwa Draft Village Plan
Tharwa is not only important to those who live and work there, it's a valued recreational destination for many Canberrans.
The ACT Government has prepared a Tharwa Draft Village Plan that is a community-driven blueprint that proposes to improve the village's recreational and cultural appeal and generate economic growth and opportunities.
Following community input, the Tharwa Draft Village Plan is now available for comment as part of the third and final stage of the village planning process.
The draft village plan makes recommendations to:
- Make the village core an attractive, social, recreational and creative hub for the local community while also attracting visitors to experience the fine qualities of a rural village lifestyle.
- Ensure that the Cuppacumbalong Homestead precinct expresses and enhances the story of Tharwa.
- Protect and enhance Tharwa's history (both Indigenous and European) and unique natural environment.
- Protect and enhance the natural environment, particularly improving the riparian zone of the Murrumbidgee River to benefit recreation opportunities.
Have your say on the Tharwa Draft Village Plan by 22 September 2017.
Supporting a Healthy Active Canberra
A key action in my Statement of Planning Intent was to incorporate active living principles into Canberra's statutory planning framework, the Territory Plan.
Active living is a way of life that integrates physical activity into daily routines, such as walking the dog, taking the stairs instead of catching the lift, walking to public transport and riding to work.
Because the planning and design of our city plays a major role in how much active living we do, incorporating active living principles into the Territory Plan will support Canberrans to live a more healthy and active lifestyle.
The ACT Government engaged with the public and industry to incorporate active living principles into the Territory Plan earlier this year. The Your Say submissions and Facebook comments received raised issues ranging from active travel infrastructure to safety in public places, public land management, and the cost to developers to implement the new provisions. The results are being analysed and the final variation is expected later in the year.
The six active living principles proposed for inclusion in the Territory Plan variation are:
- Connected places - providing connections between major uses and activity centres.
- Open space - good quality open spaces, parks and places.
- Mixed land use and density - encouraging diversity in activities, land uses and development densities.
- Safe and attractive places - ensuring places are safe and attractive to everyone using that place.
- Supportive infrastructure - providing supportive infrastructure that encourages regular physical activity
Environments for all - ensuring places are inclusive and have equitable access for all Canberrans.
Facilities to help you run, cycle or skate to work
The results are in and they show that Canberrans are active citizens!
The results are from a community consultation on the ACT Government's proposed changes to the Territory Plan to have workplace facilities (also known as end-of-trip facilities) like secure bike storage, showers, change areas and lockers included in the design of all new commercial buildings and extensions.
The community was supportive of the proposal as shown by 125 written comments and over 200 poll submissions. The consultation also raised some interesting points for government to consider, including providing a clearer explanation of what a gross floor area is.
Running parallel to this consultation is the drafting of an end-of-trip facilities management guide. With community input, the guidelines will help define best practice workplace facilities.
Free DA Finder App 'V2'
Would you like to have information about planning and development at your fingertips? Now you can!
The DA Finder App Version 2 can notify you of any development application, Territory Plan draft variation or environment impact assessment application lodged in the ACT. New functionality allows you to create a custom search area, receive notifications for your interest areas and comment online.
The free DA Finder V2 App is available to download from Google Play or iTunes.
Already have the app? Don't forget to install the latest upgrade to ensure your information is up to date and features all the latest DA Finder V2 applications.
For more information visit Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development.
3D Canberra gives new perspective for Northbourne Avenue
Building height, setbacks and plot ratio rules are important planning tools, but understanding them and their real-world impacts can be challenging. The creation of a 3D city model of the city will offer a new perspective for Northbourne Avenue and the impact of re development.
Last year, I reported on the ACT Government's upcoming 3D city model based on state of the art laser imaging technology (LIDAR). The tool will help bring urban and building plans to life for the public and planners alike.
The tool offers the ability to easily analyse and explore the impacts and opportunities of planning policy and built environment proposals from a first person perspective.
The first phase of the 3D city model will allow all of us to visualise the ACT Government's redevelopment of the Northbourne Avenue corridor to accommodate light rail. We will continue building the 3D model to include other areas of Canberra over time.
