Written by Ewan Brown Thursday, 10 November 2011 15:01
GCC Forum 9 November 2011 Notes
President Ewan Brown released an Issues List detailing items of concern to the Gungahlin Community. The list, featured on this site, will be updated regularly – covering representations, progress & new issues.
1. The 1st issue on the list, the long awaited pool, was the subject of the 1st presentation at the meeting. Sport & Recreation Services representatives Jenny Priest & Rick Rand advised of current developments & then introduced key designers, Suters Architects, to explain the features of the proposed complex.
The Gungahlin Leisure Centre Development will be located in the block between the new Gungahlin College & The Valley Avenue. Key features include 50m main pool, 25m secondary pool, linked with a range of other smaller water bodies usable for exercise programs, learn to swim & water play, a Gymnasium, fitness rooms, changerooms, a café & child care facilities.
It will be owned by the ACT Government with management put out to tender.
It is at present moving from pre-Development approval stage to a preliminary design phase. It is expected that a construction manager will be engaged by about June 2012 with work commencing by August 2012. Construction is expected to take 18 months with the facility planned to open in early 2014.
Note that the enclosed Oval on an adjacent block (westward) is currently out to tender so that construction should start much earlier.
GCC will arrange an update session on the acquatic centre developments in March 2012.
2. New Roadworks East of Town Centre
Preliminary feasibility design work has been undertaken for road development east of Hinder Street in preparation for substantial building development stretching several blocks away from the existing ton centre boundary.
There is prime requirement to divert significant traffic flow from & into Flemington Road away from the town centre. The Valley Avenue will be extended (linking with Gundaroo & Gungahlin Drives) & will be expanded to a dual carriageway with separate pedestrian & cycling links. However similar upgrades are not proposed for Anthony Rolfe Ave on the other side.
The GCC expressed major concerns about the adequacy of forward planning as the proposed measures seemed not to factor in the requirements for Light Rail (or similar upgraded rapid transport system) or the opportunity to enhance the ‘soul’ of the town centre by creating a “Shared Zone” along Hibberson Street.
Furthermore the design required diverted traffic to undertake two or more 90° turns to bypass the town centre.
There was no evidence of planning for upgraded public transport facilities such as a bus interchange.
The general feeling at the meeting was that little notice was taken of the concerns expressed. A display has been mounted near Woolworths featuring a feedback address for comments by next Friday. The meeting was advised that there was ‘no intention to make wholesale changes’!
The GCC is concerned that the proposed design does not provide sufficient traffic diversion measures, seems to miss the requirements for future expansion & foreshadows substantial remedial work once mass transit systems are implemented/upgraded in the future.
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