Minutes GCC Executive April 2009

Jason Hunter, Caroline Sayers from ACTPLA - Development Policy
Estelle Sydney-Smith, Kevin Cox, Alan Kerlin
Apologies Mathew Connors, Michell Holmes

The executive meeting was devoted to a discussion of the technical amendments to the Precinct Codes for mid sized blocks.

The discussion was wide and mainly covered the principles and procedures associated with how the idea of precinct codes would work and fit in with the rest of the planning procedures. It was generally agreed that the principles driving the precinct codes were more important than the particular details and it was agreed that where possible decisions would be refer to the guiding principles so that a consistent pattern of decision-making would be established but also where variations from the principles would be noted and the reasons given. This particular code is important - because not only does this sized block have no existing long-standing codes but because it will set a pattern for further precinct planning code development.

Issues raised and discussed were:

• Estate developers will be given less scope for variations
• Method of creating the codes (the process)
• Compact block plan is an interim policy and should not be taken as a final policy
• Mid sized block plan is a work in progress and how it develops will set the pattern
• Definition of a mid size block

A question of whether the minimum-sized block should be larger and that blocks below a certain size not be allowed for separate development but should be included in a group development because too small blocks do not allow many principles such as private open space, passive solar design, garaging to be achieved on the amount of land available.

ACTPLA agreed to obtain a copy of GCC’s previous submission on the draft Territory Plan and to lift the relevant sections of that as our submission on the proposed interim guidelines, and agreed to keep the community informed of progress in this area.

Meeting closed at 7:40.

General Meeting

Meeting opened 7:40

Present:
Tony Gill (ACT Roads), Noel McCann, Alex Arewan-Cooper, Kathy Aves (Canberra Airport), Jessica Cumming (Canberra Times/Chronicle), Tia Foster, Jenny Daly, Peter Burrows, Lisa Kaufmann, Maria Wylkes, Angela Arena, Grant Tiller, Olivia Wenholz,
Kevin Cox, Alan Kerlin, Estelle Sydney-Smith (GCC executive)

Apologies: Mathew Connors, Michelle Holmes, Dave Bockett

President talked about Michael Salmon author of "The Monster who ate Canberra", who has donated many of his books as prizes for a colouring competition and is coming to discuss using "the bunyip" as part of a street art proposal for Gungahlin town centre.

ACT Roads

Tony Gill the Director Roads ACT gave a presentation. Tony covered several topics:

Hibberston street
Pedestrian crossing: pavers - paint existing ones as interim arrangement. Rip out pavers and put in a standard crossing.
Speed limits to 40.
Safe access to community centre -crossing and lighting.

Review of school zones
Need for special lighting of school zones to draw attention to them.

Burgmann School
Access road has commenced. Pedestrian lights on Valley Way to replace school crossing. Still some objections from Delma View residents.

Nicholls Shops
Organising 29th April meeting at Nicholls Hall to discuss solutions to traffic issues around the shops.

Flemington Road
Duplication from Hamer St to Wells Station Drive. Start towards end of May within 12 months completion. Bike paths off road and on road. Other missing links on pathways discussed and Tony agreed to look at a temporary pathway for the missing link between these works and the town centre (as well as some other missing sections around Harrison).
Flemington to become 70 Km – Tony agreed to look into bringing this forward to reduce the numerous speed limit changes along the road.
Tony was requested to again consider changing the bus lane to a T2 transit lane. He revealed that as many people travel along Flemington road on buses as travel in cars. However the meeting still felt that T2 usage would not adversely affect Bus services, while encouraging car pooling.

GDE extension
five contracts. 3 bridges, glenloch interchange, duplication of road - starting January
Traffic on GDE is 30,000 per day

Majura parkway proposal
Anticipated cost is $250M
Monaro Highway to Federal Highway
The meeting discussed the bus timetable to airport and were advised by Airport reps present that there is now no appreciable delay around the airport in the mornings. It was therefore agreed that GCC should pursue additional more timely bus services on the new route between Gungahlin and Brindabella Park.

Other issues raised

• Gozzard St garbage left on back access road.
• Other back access roads are being used as through roads.
• Spray-pave surface procedures not acceptable as a way of paving roads.
• Possible removal of a poorly placed street tree on Anthony Rolfe Drive.

Canberra Airport and Airport Noise

Representatives from the Canberra Airport gave a presentation outlining future development plans for the airport including increased traffic.

They presented their proposals for further reducing aircraft noise around Gungahlin, including moving the Noise Abatement Zone to include all the areas of Gungahlin currently not covered, and restricting flights between 11 pm and 6 am from any overflight of Gungahlin.

They also advised they are negotiating with airlines running flights to Adelaide and Melbourne to have northern departures turn right around Queanbeyan rather than left around/over Gungahlin. This new initiative was welcomed, but the meeting noted it was not currently included in the draft Master Plan.

The meeting closed at 9:45 pm.