26 October 2011

Much ado about Calwell?

| johnboy
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Earlier this month it was suggested that Calwell is full of jerks.

Today it’s the centre of controversy in the Legislate Assembly.

The Greens have celebrated their amendment of a Liberal motion surrounding the suburb:

“Today the Canberra Liberals presented a motion to the Assembly to prevent the development of much needed aged care facilities for the Tuggeranong region,” said Amanda Bresnan MLA, member for Brindabella.

“The ACT’s population is rapidly ageing. The significant demand for residential aged care places is only going to increase.

“The Greens’ amendments highlight the concerns that have been raised by the community but ensure that important aged care facilities can proceed. The resolution requires the Government to address key needs in the area, including:

— The provision of new signage and paths around the area;
— Addressing parking, truck parking and interstate bus parking issues;
— Providing a taxi zone;
— Providing improved lighting for community safety; and
— Prioritising a master plan for the area.

An incandescent Brendan Smyth, however, is not thrilled by the improvements:

“I am deeply disappointed that both parties opposed my motion seeking the preparation of a master plan for the Calwell Centre,” Mr Smyth said.

“What I find even more worrying however, is that the parties have ignored a range of concerns about this matter; concerns which have been clearly expressed at a number of community meetings over recent months.

“Clearly, it is the Canberra Liberals who are interested in resolving the concerns of the community and, in this instance, the concerns of the people of southern Tuggeranong who are not happy with the lack of planning for the broader Calwell Centre precinct.

“ACT Labor and the Greens might pay lip service to community concerns but they ignore them when decisions on important community matters are to be made.

“In the face of the lack of concern shown by ACT Labor and the Greens, it is doubtful whether the community of southern Tuggeranong will enjoy good outcomes from planning decisions which are being made for the Calwell Centre precinct.

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madamcholet said :

As I have admitted before, I live in Calwell.

No need to be ashamed about “admitting” that. I think it is a very scenic part of town with some very nice houses, and would live there quite happily. There’s more to a suburb than the quality of its shopping centre, y’know. 😉

Antagonist said :

Greens: “The resolution requires the Government to address key needs in the area, including … Prioritising a master plan for the area.”

Did I miss something here? The Greens want a master plan prioritised for Calwell, but do not want it actually drawn up? I am guessing Bresnan does not live near Calwell then.

What the Greens want is planning for the long term future of the area, without holding up the urgent work that needs to be started now. The Liberals want to stop any further Government development in Calwell until the long term plan is developed over the next X years.

Antagonist said :

Did I miss something here? The Greens want a master plan prioritised for Calwell, but do not want it actually drawn up?

My money’s on the key words from Smyth being “opposed MY motion”, i.e. “it still substantially got up but ZOMG they changed bits of it!!!”

Of course, I wouldn’t need to guess if either side was capable of writing a sensible press release that contained those funny things we used to call “facts”…

Greens: “The resolution requires the Government to address key needs in the area, including … Prioritising a master plan for the area.”

Smithie: “I am deeply disappointed that both parties opposed my motion seeking the preparation of a master plan for the Calwell Centre,” Mr Smyth said.

Did I miss something here? The Greens want a master plan prioritised for Calwell, but do not want it actually drawn up? I am guessing Bresnan does not live near Calwell then.

As I have admitted before, I live in Calwell. I agree that it is in need of upgrading although the Tsoulias family seem to be giving it a red hot go by building over-priced property on just about every available piece of land. I have heard that a King Swim centre is still planned for the precinct – where abouts I couldn’t guess as I think the Tsoulias’ built townhouses on the land that it was meant to go on.

Suspect many suburbs are facing the same issues though. No forethought goes into anywhere – at least not in Tuggers – just look at the state of that town centre.

I’ve been to Calwell – those seem like much needed upgrades (it was looking pretty crappy)

What I don’t get is why it says the Liberal party voted against the upgrades for Tuggeranong?

I suppose it was because they don’t want to spend any money. “Stop the waste!”.

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