The ACT Government’s Draft Variation to the Territory Plan risks turning Woden into a concrete jungle bereft of community facilities and services, according to a submission from Woden Valley Community Council.
The WVCC has called on the Government to reconsider the DV and establish a multi-disciplinary team to conduct an integrated transport and planning review of the Town Centre and corridor from the City to Mawson.
The WVCC’s submission says the DV is a plan for developers and not the community, focusing on high-rise buildings and neglecting the need for more community facilities.
It says many features found in planning strategies for other ACT Town Centres areas are absent from the Woden DV.
“The Gungahlin Precinct Code contains many features that are not included in the Draft Variation for Woden. There should be some consistency and equity between the Town Centres and the draft Variation for Woden should be updated to include, for example, an entertainment precinct, a community and recreation facilities precinct, sites for surface public car parking, a cycle network and public transport stops,’’ it says.
The submission says sites for community use should be identified so they were not built out and include an entertainment precinct; higher education (a CIT close to the Town Centre); a community centre; a pool; and a multi-purpose sports facility.
The submission also wants building heights to be stated in metres, the retention of the current buildings on the Town Square perimeter to maintain sunlight levels in the cooler months; retention of solar access along the east-west spine; and the identification of green, open spaces, including retention of Arabanoo Park as open space.
It also calls for an analysis of ways to capitalise on Woden’s economic advantage of hosting the Canberra Hospital, including health education facilities and a health ‘hub’.
The submission says education and community facility proposals contained in previous Budgets have not materialised.
The submission also states that the projected population declines are a cause for concern.
“We are not aware of an analysis of the changing demographics in Woden which provides recommendations for future requirements for schools and community facilities,’’ the submission says. “There is no strategy to help attract young families to Woden. The liveability of Woden has unfortunately been eroded by the closure of community and sporting facilities.”
The WVCC says the Government appears to be expecting the private sector to provide community facilities and open spaces but these are likely to be only in their own developments.
“The private sector is not likely to provide community facilities for the broader population, including the CIT, community centre, multi-purpose sports hall or a decent pool,’’ it says.
The submission says DV is of critical importance to the Woden, Weston and Molonglo communities.
“However implementation in its current form will see the construction of high-rise buildings from 16 to 28 storeys, with little regard to the community’s needs, including solar access to the Town Square and green open spaces. Woden may become less liveable – a concrete jungle of high-rise residential towers,’’ the submission says.
Do you think Woden is in danger of being swamped with high-rise buildings? Does the DV neglect the needs of the community? What would you like to see happen in Woden?
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