Planning and development news

ACT Govt Shared Service staff to relocate to Gungahlin

Written by Alan Kerlin Monday, 09 January 2012 12:20

Great news: the ACT Government has received nine expressions of interest to build the new ACT Gov't office block in Gungahlin town centre.

And the Government has also advised that the 500 staff to be relocated to Gungahlin will be the Shared Services department, currently housed in Woden.

GCC meetings have featured presentations by two of these proponents (both already owning land behind the Emergency Services and with plans ready to go), so to know there are another seven out there is quite intriguing.

But it does underline exactly what we have been saying to the ACT Government for more than five years - instead of guessing what the commercial market is like, put the land out there and see. From our discussions with various developers, we've always known that the limiting factor has not been interest, but land released to the market.

It's harder now, with the squeeze of commercial credit, and had land been released four years ago, we'd probably already have office blocks by now.

And this is where having the ACT Government put their 'money where their mouth is' has been the necessary catalyst.

We believe that once this goes in, the whole local jobs situation will start to snowball.

Most welcome to see after so many years of GCC lobbying.

And if you'd like to work locally, you now know what vacancies to start targeting!

Dec 2011 NBN Update Meeting

Written by Dave Bockett Tuesday, 20 December 2011 14:07

Video of the recent NBN Update meeting held on Tues 13th Dec 2011.

NBN Update Meeting - Tues 13th Dec 2011

Written by Dave Bockett Tuesday, 06 December 2011 14:47

NBN in Gungahlin Update

When: Tuesday 13th December, 2011, 7:00pm-9:00pm

Where: Gungahlin Library, downstairs meeting room

Leisure Centre Consultation

Written by Dave Bockett Monday, 21 November 2011 18:22

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.

The plans for the proposed leisure centre will be available and representatives of Suters, the design architects, and the government agency will be available to answer questions and discuss the project.

Leisure Centre Update

Written by Alan Kerlin Sunday, 06 November 2011 15:41

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

Nicholls Community Village Info Sessions

Written by Dave Bockett Monday, 31 October 2011 08:54

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

NBN UPDATE: Rollout to start in Amaroo and Ngunnawal

Written by Dave Bockett Wednesday, 19 October 2011 09:26

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.

NBN Update Oct 2011

Written by Peter Elford Tuesday, 11 October 2011 08:37

NBNco have been actively keeping the GCC informed about progress, but there's not much to report in addition to what was reported in the press a few weeks ago, ie. that they are starting the implementation in October (this year!).

The first couple of months of this will be assessing the existing infrastructure, so we'll probably see trucks in the street, but not much actual layer of fibre till the new year.

NBN Information Evening - Wed 15th June 2011

Written by Dave Bockett Tuesday, 14 June 2011 09:56

NBN Information Evening

If you wish to hear the latest on broadband for Gunghalin come to the Gungahlin Library (downstairs) this coming Wednesday 15th June at 7pm.

500 ACT PS jobs coming to Gungahlin

Written by Dave Bockett Monday, 02 May 2011 14:56

The ACT Government will re-locate public servants to a new office block in Gungahlin providing a boost for local jobs in Canberra’s fastest growing region.

The 7,000sqm office complex is expected to house 500 public servants and include on-site parking.

"This is a very significant milestone in the development of Gungahlin." GCC Vice President Peter Elford said today.

"What was a collection of developing dormitory suburbs, is very rapidly becoming a genuine community! The early ground work and ongoing activism undertaken by the GCC is being rewarded, and I would like to extend my thanks to the early GCC members that pushed and advocated for the changes that have made this project possible. I would encourage others (like me!) to get involved with the GCC to maintain the momentum."

The coming ACT Budget will invest $150,000 for a study into the estimated cost and design of the building as well as the preferred site and tenants. It is expected to be one of the buildings to be built behind the emergency services building of Gozzard Street.

Expressions of Interest for the building’s construction are expected to be called later this year.

It has been a long campaign to get to this stage, but at last some progress!

NBN Co flags second release site delays

Written by Dave Bockett Tuesday, 22 March 2011 08:32

“NBN Co has been advising communities within second release sites that both the Telstra deal and the ACCC decision on points of interconnect are now being factored into the timing of future rollouts,” the company said.

The ACCC’s decision to increase the points of interconnect from 14 to 121 would also have to be factored into the timing of construction and it could contribute to delays to services following construction,NBN Co said.

“NBN Co is committed to work in the second release sites, but the above could affect the time between construction and the availability of services, depending on a number of issues that are still being worked through.”

The second release sites are strewn all across the nation and the network builder had previously indicated that construction in these areas was scheduled for the second quarter of 2011.

“A definitive agreement between Telstra and NBN Co will be good for Telstra, good for NBN Co and good for the country,” said NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley. “It is therefore worthwhile taking the time to get the right outcome. A deal will lead to less disruption for the community, and reduce our rollout costs. It is better for the community and better for taxpayers.”

Telstra said at its half yearly results in February that the two companies had agreed on provisional commercial terms and marked down 1 July as the target date for a shareholder vote on the deal. It has now admitted the date will have to be pushed back and has not specified a new one.

“There are statutory timeframes required for the necessary ministerial, ACCC and Telstra extraordinary general meeting processes, which means there is a minimum timeframe from the time the agreements are finalised to when a shareholder vote can occur,” Telstra said in a statement to the ASX.

“Given this, we have now reached the point where a 1 July meeting is no longer practicable. The company is currently looking at options for an alternative meeting date, including taking into account the full year results announcement requirements, and will advise shareholders once it is in a position to set the date of the meeting.”

Despite the setback Telstra reiterated that NBN negotiations “continue to progress well, with all parties working together to agree and document the various detailed arrangements required.”

NBN Co will be hoping to finalise the definitive agreements as quickly as possible in order to gain access to the Telstra ducts, pits and conduits and drive down its rollout costs. Even with the agreements inked, the transaction needs to receive the tick of approval from the competition watchdog, which could take up to three months.

NBN Update

Written by Dave Bockett Monday, 14 March 2011 19:23

Peter Elford, GCC Vice President gets an update on the National Broadband Network’s plans for the Gungahlin pilot roll-out with Darren Rudd of NBN Co

Gungahlin Leisure Centre Consultation

Written by Alan Kerlin Sunday, 06 February 2011 14:21

A feasibility study has been undertaken into the future Gungahlin Leisure Centre which will be located in a 'wellness precinct' along with Gungahlin College, community library, CIT adult learning centre, town park and the future Gungahlin Enclosed Oval.

As well as the main pool, the Centre is proposed to include a 20-metre program pool with variable depth floor which can be used for a range of activities including hydrotherapy, learn to swim, aqua aerobics, and water play, indoor and outdoor wet play areas, a gymnasium, flexible activity program rooms, childcare and a café.

Two possible design concepts have been prepared – one with a 50 metre pool and one with a 25 metre pool.

Where to get more information and have your say:

Two public drop-in information sessions will be held at the Canberra Raiders Club in the Town Centre from 12 noon to 1.30 pm and from 6.30 pm to 8 pm on Monday 9 February 2011.

The plans will also be displayed at the Gungahlin Library, corner of Ernest Cavanagh Street and Gungahlin Place, Gungahlin

They will also be on the web at www.tams.act.gov.au

Feedback on the preferred plans can be mailed to:

Gungahlin Leisure Centre Options, GPO Box 158, Civic, ACT 2601 or
emailed to communityengagement@act.gov.au

For more information, please contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

Submissions and comments close: 5pm, Wednesday 2 March 2011.

---

Background Information

Prior to the 2008 election, Jon Stanhope and Andrew Barr made a clear and unambiguous promise to the people of Gungahlin, as is still available on this media release from 4 August 2008.

“Gungahlin residents to benefit from new 50m pool complex"

Labor Member for Molonglo and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr today announced a re-elected Stanhope Government will build a pool and indoor leisure centre for the Gungahlin community.

Mr Barr said the Government is currently investigating the scope of the centre which will include a 50 metre pool, a 25 metre pool at least 1 court space, for example a netball court and associated amenities such as a café and gymnasium."

Interestingly, the next day they pooh poohed the ACT Liberals’ ability to deliver on their counter promise, and reiterated the ALP promise in even more definite language:

“Yesterday Chief Minister Jon Stanhope and Mr Barr announced a re-elected Stanhope Government will build an indoor recreational facility in Gungahlin that will include a 50 metre pool, a 25 metre pool, at least 1 court space, for example a netball court, and associated amenities such as a café and gymnasium.”

“…will build…” Not a lot of room for confusion there…

GCC has been growing increasingly concerned over the last 8 months about the apparent back-pedalling by Andrew Barr on this issue.

We acknowledge that 50m pools cost a bit to operate, but so do all community facilities. To base this decision on the ability of a centre to turn a profit is to totally lose sight of the government’s role in delivering equitable community services across the ACT, as all local governments strive to do. It’s not as if we ever say that libraries should have to turn a profit to be considered – why should it be so for pools? In fact, it could be argued that the previous exercises with outsourcing management of Canberra’s pool centres have not been particularly glowing examples.

Andrew Barr has acknowledged Gungahlin's population will hit 50,000 within the next 3 years, and the reality is that the accelerated land release will mean we will be well on towards the design population of 100,000 before we know it.

And with population densities far higher than anywhere else in Canberra, our recreational facilities become all the more important to compensate for our lack of back yards and play spaces.

Land use in the Gungahlin town centre is incredibly tight and we have had an uphill battle fitting all the needs for the college (open Monday!), library, oval and aquatic centre within the very limited space available. We have one site only for this centre so it has to built properly first time.

The GCC encourages residents to email Jon Stanhope (stanhope@act.gov.au)and Andrew Barr directly (barr@act.gov.au) as well as the official consultation email address communityengagement@act.gov.au

Have your say on planning for the town centre

Written by Dave Bockett Friday, 28 January 2011 08:31

The ACT Government is proposing a range of changes to the planning framework for the Gungahlin Town Centre. You are invited to comment on and shape these changes before they are confirmed by a variation to the Territory Plan.

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