Notes on ACT Government Omnibus Territory Plan Variation – ISCCC
Committee meeting 8 July 2014
ACTPLA’s purpose on this occasion is to ask the ISCCC how best to
communicate the proposals to the various communities. They would like to
discuss this over the next few months to inform the formal process.
The proposal is a draft at this stage and is yet to receive Ministerial
endorsement. For this reason ACTPLA requested that the information not go
beyond the ISCCC Committee [PS: subsequent Chronicle article)
17 sites across Canberra for land development (Economic Development
Directorate) and housing (Community Services Directorate). All will require
individual Territory Plan Variations with the intention of introducing them as a
package. The intent of separating them is to enable those that are approved
to go ahead if others are problematic.
Time frame: start formal process in September with a view to completing it by
Christmas. The consultation report will be made public and recommendations
to the Minister will result in acceptance, rejection or referral to LA Committee.
Committees have 6 months to report back.
ACTPLA distributed maps of the 6 Inner South sites – Amtech Estate /
Symonston (land development), Narrabundah (Gowrie Court, and new site)),
Stuart Flats in Griffith, Red Hill, east of DFO (land development).
The rationale for the housing development is to increase turnover of the
housing stock. Canberra has a good spread of government housing but the
stock is the oldest in age in Australia. The oldest house is about 50 years old.
Current turnover is 1% which is contributing to the rate of ageing.
ACTG is keen to break down aggregation of certain tenant groups. This has
led to a review of zoning to provide the flexibility to subdivide, and enter into
public / private agreements. Looking at Amtech Estate and Symonston, two
sites on Jerrabomberra Avenue on either side of the German Club and
Southside vet. These sites would need to be rezoned for housing.
Red Hill, south of the shops, zoning is RZ2, currently 114 units on site, with
heritage issues of street pattern and park.
A Forrest referred to work done 12 or so years ago.
For the IS sites density could be increased where appropriate but this needs
to be discussed with the community.
The Committee opted for individual meetings by suburb. ACTPLA / EDD /
Housing to discuss details individually with residents groups. ONCC, GNCA
and RHRG to contact Peter Johns
Considerations include that there are a number of Housing tenants on rebated
rents, and who have high dependency.
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Notes on ACT Government Omnibus Territory Plan Variation – ISCCC
Committee meeting 8 July 2014
There is no longer a budget surplus to put into significant new stock so the
proposal will be for a mix of private and government owned assets. Revenue
will be returned to the housing stock.
S Doszpot raised the issue of traffic around the Narrabundah site particularly
on baseball match days. David Collett can talk to TAMS about this.
D Denham raised the concern of more open space being built on. TAMS
advice is that these sites aren’t well used. Telstra advises it is open to
relocation of its exchange near Stuart Flats.
Mature trees adjacent to the oval and Gowrie Court will be retained.
P Wurfel asked for assurance that necessary maintenance will continue
pending relocations.
In response to D Denham’s query if current tenants have been surveyed yet,
D Collett advised they are surveyed annually and will be included in
consultation with the broader Community.
J Keeley questioned the distinction between social and public housing. D
Collett advised that social / public housing tenants’ rent is 25% of income;
community housing is subject to affordable rental which is a percentage of
market rent and the rate is currently 74% of market rent.
J Keeley asked if people on low incomes will still be eligible for social housing.
D Collett advised they would subject to priority lists.
J Keeley advised there needs to absolute specifics about the categories of
people who will be eligible for the proposed housing mixes. This is so the
community can articulate how it feels. D Collett advised there won’t be a
concentration of Housing tenants, maybe 10%. Housing is looking to smaller
rather than larger concentrations. D Collett stressed it is important not to
correlate behavior with income.
The public / private venture will involve selling or building to sell. There will be
two particular initiatives: accessible design (usually depending on ground or
upper floor) and aged persons units.
The Griffith Flats on Canberra Avenue are on the heritage register and are not
included at this stage.
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