Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

Case study: Development in MolongloPlanning for urban development in the Molonglo Valley commenced with the identification of Molongloin the Canberra Spatial Plan in March 2004. In 2005, ACTPLA undertook a Molonglo Valley SuitabilityStudy and commenced preparation of a structure plan, the latter was finalised in May 2006. The nextstage was to vary the Territory Plan and amend the National Capital Plan. This triggered a PreliminaryAssessment which was finalised in 2007. The Territory Plan variation process was complete inDecember 2008. While the variation included a Concept Plan for the first two suburbs of Coombs andWright, revised concept plans were being continually updated until being finalised in early 2010.Further changes to the concept plans were made in mid 2010 when ACTPLA added the solar accessprovisions into the planning controls for Coombs and Wright.Despite some six years of planning preparation and studies, a number of significant issues remainunresolved. These include:• bushfire protection and whether a 100 to 300 metre outer bushfire protection zone must be locatedwithin the urban boundary or within the adjoining open space;• protection of the endangered pink tail worm lizard and its compatibility with bushfire protection;• treatment of storm water - options include a large lake or a series of ponds; and• the elevation of the Scrivener Dam surge protection line and its impact on the developable landboundary in Coombs.While many of these issues remain unresolved the estate development plan for Coombs is proceedingwith land sales proposed to occur in June 2011. In total, this six year process has permitted the releaseof only 1,200 single dwelling sites in Molonglo.In order to progress with stage 2 of Molonglo, ACTPLA has commenced further planning studies andpreparation of a planning and design framework (concept plan). EPBC clearance, environmental impactstatements, traffic studies, infrastructure capability studies are required. This work will not be completeuntil June 2012 at the earliest on current projections.TransportAn effective transport system is integral to a prosperous, healthy community and liveablecity. Transport pervades all aspects of everyday life, from purchasing goods to accessingemployment and services, or participating in community activities. An effective transportsystem is safe, convenient, accessible and affordable for everyone. Transport systems affectthe physical character of cities as well as the cohesiveness of communities.Canberra’s early planning around car based transport, with its generous road and streetsystem, as well as space reserved for parking, has meant that cars are the most convenientmode of travel for most Canberra residents. This road system, enables our high car use,generating around 24% of the ACT’s total greenhouse gas emissions. 410410 ACT Government (2004b) Sustainable Transport Plan for the ACT. Canberra, p.16.Sustainability, Housing Affordability and Transport: 311