Giving in over Molonglo

I do actualy like the Gungahlin shopping strip where you actually walk along the shops outside, instead of mega-malls like everywhere else.

I’m gonna stand up for Gungahlin here – it is far from a disaster. Narrow streets don’t bother me as it slows the traffic down in suburban streets and there is open space available a short walk from anywhere, particularly in my part of the world, Amaroo.

The glib characterisation of Gungahlin frustrates the hell out of me, I’ve lived there for over ten years and have enjoyed watching it grow and develop to the point where I think it has an interesting mix of housing and commercial development with some great restaurants and increasingly vibrant community.

Having said that, it needs a pub.

If ACTPLA really had nothing to do with this envirnmental report, why did they agree to pay for half? The more I think about this the more it makes no sense.

Looks like ACTPLA got caught out by the NCA actually accepting the report as given, without making a lot of changes (aka ‘feedback’ so it said what they wanted it to) before releasing it.

ACTPLA wouldn’t know if their office was on fire, if the recent fiasco where they forgot to send all the documents pertaining to the restrictions placed on the redevelopment near City Hill to potential developers is anything to go by.

Of course, now the developers want to include a supermarket within the development – which just so happens to be one of the types of restrictions that ACTPLA had on the site!!!

The whole decision making process on the Molonglo dvpt seems to have been pretty shady.

ACTPLA paid half for the report into Molonglo, but now deny having anything to do with it?
(NCA says they made extensive comment and were involved in briefings).

Does this mean that when the report recommended not developing Molonglo due to environmental concerns, ACTPLA decided to have nothing further to do with the report, as they knew it wasn’t what Jon S wanted to hear??

I support the decision not to develop. I think Canberra does need more new suburbs, but not on areas that are particularly valuable environmentally.

And urban infill is dangerous if taken too far. Glebe park is looking really worn out, as it is the only green space for a bbq within walking distance of Civic.

caf said :

And Thumper, although much of Gunghalin isn’t my cup of tea, it seems to be popular enough with the people who choose to live there.

You’ve got to be kidding!

Mr Evil: There’s actually a story on the front page of today’s (northside) Chronicle about the Currong Flats being sold.

Anyway comparing the Central Molonglo development – a large, long-term area – to smaller and short term city infill is a pretty long bow to draw. And Thumper, although much of Gunghalin isn’t my cup of tea, it seems to be popular enough with the people who choose to live there.

I just reckon they could be doing a lot more with the dodgy flats that fill up the Braddon, Dickson, Lyneham part.

Exactly.

But no, this Govt is happy to allow developers to build houses (including guvvies) out in areas like Uriarra instead; which is just so practical, especially when the price of petrol is over the $1.50 mark.

Lack of water resources will force a greater population density. They can plan as much as they want with an election in the wind but it does not mean it will translate into reality.

I’m not sure they could infill civic much faster if they tried.

In fact I reckon they are trying and what you’re seeing right now is full speed ahead.

Extra housing tracts are “All that AND a bag of chips”