Planning & development

The ACT Sports and Recreation Services we will be conducting a session at the Gungahlin Marketplace, near the Woolworths store, from 4pm to 7pm on Friday 25 November.  

Community & business

GUNGAHLIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL (GCC) VISION

·         GCC seeks adherence to the original concept of self-contained satellite centres serviced by all necessary amenities minimising the need for residents to travel to other centres for work, shopping, services & entertainment.

·         Gungahlin has matured but still lacks services & amenities necessary to cater effectively for the current, and growing, population.

·         Gungahlin needs representation from candidates who live in the area or in nearby suburbs within the electorate to have a better affinity in understanding the issues facing local residents & businesses.

DRAFT ISSUES LIST for the Gungahlin Community compiled the GCC

The GCC Executive has identified the following issues by the as being the key areas of concern for Gungahlin residents as at November 2011.  The list has been posted on the GGC website for community comment & ranking (if necessary).  The GCC Executive will represent the community in seeking the addressing of these issues & will report regularly on progress. 

The list will be forwarded to all ACT Legislative Assembly members & their contributions noted.

The list will be a living document, regularly updated as issues are progressed & as new issues arise.  It will form the basis of commitments to the Gungahlin area sought from candidates for the 2012 ACT Legislative Assembly elections.

GCC wants an information service (Developments in Your Community), complete with maps, from the ACT Government to advise residents of the type & status of ongoing developments in the area.  This will cover roadworks, new constructions (such as new construction around the Coles Supermarket site), the Wetlands project, inaction on site reserved for bulky goods outlet, the oval & any other projects of interest to community members.

ISSUES

o      Swimming Pool.

Update: 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.

 

o      Hospital (preferably full service) located in Gungahlin – (seek RDA ACT input regional focus as there are significant benefits for surrounding rural residents).  Need a positive decision, commencement date & completion date.  Status should not be dictated by other interests.  The needs of Gungahlin residents should be prime!

o      NBN Roll-out (regular updates on progress, communications plan & community involvement, updates from Telstra to resolve lack of broadband services, ramifications of sale of TransAct to iiNet).  Initial cabling will connect 4800 homes in Ngunnawal & Amaroo by December 2012.  Roll-out will continue to connect another 14,000 thereafter (2013 onwards).  What service improvements (if any) can existing residents expect (from Telstra & others) in the meantime?  Residents of Palmerston & Nicholls have been excluded from the initial roll-out program despite having sub-par services for many years.

o      EPIC Park n Ride.  Greater focus should be placed on establishing a user-friendly, functional Park n Ride facility at EPIC, supported by an upgraded public transport service, to encourage Gungahlin residents plus commuters using the Federal & Barton Highways to terminate their private vehicle journeys at EPIC thus reducing Northbourne Ave congestion & avoiding expensive parking fees in Civic.

Update: November 16, 2011 The Park and Ride facility in Mitchell is now open, joining 12 other facilities across Tuggeranong, Woden and Belconnen.

Work on the facility began in June 2011 & includes 100 parking spaces next to the Flemington Road bus stop. Buses will now run the route every five minutes during peak hours & every 15 minutes during off-peak hours.

Bike & Ride, & Park & Ride facilities were launched in Mawson on Athllon Drive in January 2010 providing 97 parking spaces & 18 secure bike lockers.  It has been in high demand from the day it opened, often reaching capacity before 8.30 am on weekdays. In response, the ACT Government has expanded the capacity of the car park providing an additional 90 parking spaces.

Investigations are currently underway to construct more park & ride facilities within Gungahlin.

For more information about park and ride facilities visit www.transport.act.gov.au

Comment: What provisions have been made for the overflow parking for major EPIC events that previously utilised that site?

o      Establish a full service Health Centre in Gungahlin.

o      Find a solution to utilise Gold Creek Homestead for productive purposes & reverse the decline of a valuation community facility.

o      Resolve the current Parking congestion problems at Burgmann College during peak school start & finish times.

o      Resolve current issues caused by the lack of duplication on Gundaroo Drive due to steadily increasing traffic flows:

·                Past Crace (between Barton Highway & Gungahlin drive).  An emerging issue that will develop with increased population build up in Crace is the too rapid contraction of the two lane roundabout from Crace into a single lane (Northbound) of Gundaroo Drive.

·                Gungahlin Drive to Mirrabei Drive (particularly when Valley Way extension is completed) – Bus stopping areas contribute to regular vehicle accidents due to single lane traffic.  Increased by-pass traffic will exacerbate existing problems.

·                Chicane at junction with Gungahlin Drive.  Increased usage of Gungahlin shopping precinct results in large vehicle build-ups with South-bound traffic.  Problems also arise with North-bound traffic (including vehicles turning from Gungahlin Drive) merging from two lanes to a single lane.

 

o      Stagger scheduling of road works (GDE, Clarrie Hermes Drive, Horse Park Drive, William Slim Drive) so that traffic disruptions are minimised.

o      Electoral boundaries need to be reconfigured to reflect needs of Gungahlin residents and rapid growth demanding separate representation.  Electorate combination with areas of the Inner South is in total discordance with the interests of Gungahlin residents.

o      Urgent need to create an Employment hub in Gungahlin – preferably by locating a Government Department in or close to the Town Centre.  This will provide opportunities for Gungahlin residents for local employment reduce outwards traffic flows & increase inwards traffic flows which in turn benefit workers & residents travelling out of Gungahlin as it balances out waiting times at roundabouts & traffic lights where the situation currently favours inwards traffic on the Barton & Federal Highways.  Local businesses will also benefit from an increased clientele & more small businesses are likely to be drawn to the area.

Update: 27/11/2011.  The ACT Government (via the Economic Development Directorate) is undertaking a Registration of Interest process to obtain industry input on a proposed 7,000 m2 office building.

This office building, to be located on either government or privately owned land in Gungahlin, will accommodate approximately 500 ACT Government staff, provide requisite parking spaces and be built to contemporary environmental sustainability standards. Once constructed, the new office building will deliver significant economic and workforce benefits to the ACT Government and the Gungahlin community.

 

Organisations wishing to obtain a copy of the Registration of Interest document are asked to register their request, including their company name and key contact person to: governmentoffice@act.gov.au .

An industry briefing session on the process will be held over the coming weeks & details will be provided to registered respondents. The closing date for submissions is 15 December 2011.

 

o      The Gungahlin Community wants vastly improved communication re upgrades (planning, progress & completion dates) & traffic impact measures in the area.  If residents are aware of the type & purpose of establishment & upgrade work being done, plus being advised of likely completion dates, they should be more accommodating of any disruptions to their movements throughout the district & actually look forward to the outcomes.

o      Provide definite dates commencement & completion of the Nurdur Drive extension to Gungahlin Drive.

o      Reconsider the efficacy of Exits from Crace (only 2 – insufficient for projected population).

o      Access to Lake shores (Yerrabi Pond, Gungahlin Pond etc) for recreational purposes.

o      Parking associated with lakeshore/waterbody access throughout district.

o      Paucity of parking at Phyllis Ashton Cct & Strayleaf Cres Gungahlin for patrons of commercial facilities.

o      Traffic calming measures for eastbound vehicles on Gungahlin Drive approaching Amagula Ave & Lexcen Ave roundabout – alignment draws line-of-sight away from vehicles travelling west & turning into Amagula Ave.  Also trees in centre of roundabout block views of approaching traffic.

o      Negation of benefits of rapid transit route for public transport along Flemington Road by significant high-density infill.

o      Drinking fountains in Library/College precinct.

o      Majura Parkway Update:  DETAILED DESIGN WORK BEGINS. November 16, 2011
The Australian & ACT Governments have announced that SMEC Australia has been selected to undertake & complete the detailed design work on the new Majura Parkway.

The Majura Parkway project was announced earlier this year and construction is expected to be underway towards the end of 2012.

The awarding of the $6.5 million contract is another significant milestone in the delivery of this long-awaited piece of infrastructure which will make it easier for Canberrans to get around their city as well as taking trucks off residential streets.

Governments at both the Federal & Territory level Are working together to put in place the modern, well-planned transport infrastructure befitting Canberra's status as the nation's capital.

The Majura Parkway will be an 11.5 kilometre long dual carriageway, with the Commonwealth & ACT governments each providing $144 million towards its construction.

The finalisation of the forward design consultancy will build on the preliminary work done as part of the initial Environment Impact Statement.

Once open to traffic in 2016, the Majura Parkway will be an important north-south transport link, providing a direct connection between the Federal & Monaro Highways.

By 2030, it is expected this new road will carry 40,000 vehicles a day, including up to 6,000 trucks, significantly improving the movement of freight both nationally & within the region.

Visit majuraparkway.act.gov.au for more information.

Ewan Brown President GCC.

Planning & development

The development application for the aquatic centre (or Gungahlin Leisure Centre as the government wants to call it) is almost ready to be submitted to ACTPLA, and construction is foreshadowed to commence in August 2012. Given that will be just days before the next ACT Government election, we can probably be reasonably certain it's a deadline that wll be met!

 

We'll be getting a presentation on the designs (including our 50m pool!) at or GCC meeting on Wednesday 9 November (7:30pm - Library downstairs).

 

The following letter is going to all nearby neighours:

_______________________

Dear Gungahlin Resident

 

Gungahlin Leisure Centre Development

 

As you may be aware, the area of land between the new Gungahlin College and The Valley Avenue for several years has been designated as the site for a major aquatic leisure centre to service the needs of the Gungahlin community.  As your home closely adjoins this site, we now wish to update you on progress with the project.

 

Over the last two years a consultant team engaged by Sport and Recreation Services undertook a feasibility study into this facility.  This involved an analysis of demographic patterns in the area, assessment of aquatic sport and recreational demands now and into the future, and an examination of the designated site, with its associated advantages and constraints. During the development of this study, the consultant team presented to the Gungahlin Community Council on two occasions and conducted two open discussion sessions at the Raiders Leagues Club.  Based on information provided through these investigations and discussions, a recommended concept for the centre was produced.

 

That study was completed a few months ago, and now an architecture team, along with associated sub-consultants, has been engaged and are well under way in developing the concept through to a detailed design.  

 

At this stage, it is expected that a Development Application will be submitted in December 2011, a construction manager engaged by about June 2012, and work should start on site by about August 2012.  Construction is expected to take about 18 months, with completion in early 2014.  

 

Key features include:

• 50 metre 8 lane main pool;
• 25 metre secondary pool, linked with a range of other smaller water bodies, usable for exercise programs, learn to swim and water play;
• Gymnasium;
• Dry fitness rooms;
• Changerooms and toilets;
• Cafe;
• Short term child care;
• Administration areas.

 

A more detailed presentation by the consultants is to be made at the meeting of the Gungahlin Community Council at 7.30pm on Wednesday 9 November 2011 at the new Gungahlin Library.  They and government officers will be available for discussions.

 

Should you wish to discuss or require further information, please contact Rick Rand at Sport and Recreation Services on 6207 2313 or email rick.rand@act.gov.au

Community & business

Harrison School will be running its annual school Fair on Saturday the 19th of November 3 pm to 7pm.

This year Harrison School is delighted to have the Gungahlin CWA run a CWA style baking competition, with categories for Adults and Children. There will be all the fun of the fair with Rides and Sideshow activities, Naval display, fantastic international food, market stalls, craft and cake stalls, live performances , face painting, princess pavilion, 2nd hand books, pre loved babies and children’s wear and our ever popular silent auction, with auction items including accommodation packages on the north coast.

This year’s Auction will be run by none other than the Auction Idol winner of 2011!!!

Harrison School is on Wimmera St, Harrison, just off Flemington Road.

For more information please call P:6205 9555 or find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harrison-School-Community-Association/144943475566

Planning & development

Nicholls Community Village

The Nicholls Community Village site is being developed in order to make available land to meet community needs for community services and facilities.

Nicholls Community Village is located approximately 3km west of the Gungahlin Town Centre and the site is adjacent to Gungahlin Drive, Kelleway Avenue and Holy Spirit Primary School.

Public Information Sessions

The LDA invites the public to attend a public information session for the Nicholls Community Village to be held at the
Gold Creek Senior School Library, Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls.

Information Session 1
Tuesday 8 November 2011 anytime between 3:30pm and 7pm

Information Session 2
Tuesday 29 November 2011 anytime between 3.30pm and 7pm

If you require further information please contact:

Michael Britton
LDA Project Manager
Phone: (02) 6207-9530
Email: michael.britton@act.gov.au

Transport

Roads ACT have provided the following update on roads and transport issues relating to Gunaghlin:

•    Bike shed on Flemington Road ( Can intensity of lighting be reduced)
Some adjustments can be made and this will be implemented.
 
•    Cyclist safety on Wells Station Road recently sealed section
Roads ACT have followed up and inspected both Wells Station roads and the line markings at Federal Highway and Flemington Road – there are not a lot of opportunities to improve either but Director Roads ACT will discuss these with Alan Kerlin of GCC.

•    Footpaths on Anthony Rolfe from Sirens down to Harrison
- this relates to development of various sites and associated offsite works, TAMS Asset Acceptance section is following up. 

•    Returning library books is slow and cold outside
The book return chutes at the Gungahlin Library are designed to ensure the safety and security of staff, the public and the library building. Unfortunately, some people in our community put inappropriate things into our chutes.  In places like the UK all chutes have been closed due to the security risk that they pose.  In order to ensure that only library items are put in the chute, they must take one item at a time. We are working with the supplier of the chute to try to speed it up and we ask for people’s patience.  There is an indoor chute that can be used when the building is open.

The exterior chute does have a canopy over it to keel rain from users and the chute itself. This information was provided to the Gungahlin Community Council after Gary Byles met with them.  The GCC sought permission to put it on their website and this permission was given.

•    Disabled parking directly in front of library and at Post Office
Roads ACT have followed up with the person who raised the issue at the meeting regarding relocation of disabled parking for the library.

•    Gross Pollutant trap on Flemington Road needs to be cleaned more regularly.
We have arranged for these to be inspected and cleaned if required.

•    Bins around Yerrabi ponds
There are 10 located around Yerrabi ponds. They are emptied Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. There was a problem with access to the bins near the barbeque area when the Parks team were undertaking turf renovation along footpaths.

•    Formalise walking track from Palmerston Town Centre to Franklin Town Centre across Grassland (Conservator advice)
No plans to formalise walking tracks in these areas

•    Design rules for bikes on buses – is it safe to have the bike racks fitted to front of buses
Transport Regulation have given ACTION exemptions from the relevant ADRs covering safety.

•    Frequency of red rapids and standing room only / capacity issues for Rapids from Gungahlin
ACTION are aware of capacity issues on Red Rapid services from Gungahlin around 8:30am, and are currently exploring options for deploying more buses to this service around this time.

•    Inclusion of WIFI on buses as part of Real Time Passenger Information
A technical and economic assessment of the provision of WIFI on buses is being undertaken as part of the Real Time Passenger Information project.

•    Pedestrian safety at roundabout at Gundaroo Drive and Mirabei Drive
TAM has listed this for investigation as part of our minor investigations program – will provide advice when completed.

•    Small roundabout made into a large roundabout at Anthony Rolfe Road and Hindus St ( near Elders advertising sign)
We will provide further advice on this regarding background and reason for changes shortly.

•    When is Gundaroo Drive being duplicated
This project is currently subject of a feasibility study by Roads ACT however is not in the 11/12 budget.

•    Lack of parking / parking issues around ballet school / Curves Gym / Chinese waterfront restaurant near the lake – difficulty for bus routes getting through due to cars parked on median – can median be officially turned into car parking
Roads ACT have contacted Alan Kerlin about meeting at Yerrabi pond to look at parking issues with a resident.

•    Why do we provide drop off  bus shelters when we need pick up bus shelters
Many stops serve both boarding and alighting passengers. For outbound stops such as on Flemington road, while there may be less boarding passengers than alighting passengers, it is still appropriate to provide facilities for the boarding passengers. We do prioritise the provision of shelters and appreciate any feedback from passengers on specific locations where shelters may be required.

•    Can we improve route 58 and 59 services
We are reviewing the timetabling of routes 56, 58 and 59 with a view to achieving a more even spacing between buses to Belconnen. Further advice will be provided if individual routes are changed.

•    Bus shelters on Flemington Road
Advice on bus shelters on Flemington road – as advised there will be shelters on all inbound and outbound stops from the town centre to Wells Station drive in the next 12 months – they are currently in the roll out program.

Planning & development

NBN Co have announced that the first stage of the Gungahlin roll-out will commence in Amaroo and Ngunnawal. This will cover approximately 6,000 premises. It is expected that these premises will be connected by Xmas 2012.

Read more: NBN UPDATE: Rollout to start in Amaroo and Ngunnawal

Government

Didn't receive an alert call during the Mitchell factory fire warnings? Perhaps it was because 80% of relevant numbers weren't even dialled!!

This CT article gives a good summary, with some salient admissions from Simon Corbell about the system's flaws. 

Government

The ACT Electoral Commission has made its final decision on the electoral boundaries, and they have reverted to their original proposal. That is, they are moving Crace and Palmerston from the electorate of Molonglo into Ginninderra, joining Nicholls in being separated from the rest of Gungahlin voters.