Written by Ian Ruecroft Tuesday, 10 April 2007 10:00
The development of the Gold Creek Homestead site has been an issue that has been debated in many forums over the past seven years. There have been a number of working groups (set up by the community and government) that have considered proposals and drawn up plans in an effort to find a suitable use for the land and the homestead.
There are a few things that are generally agreed, these include:
1) That the homestead should be retained and utilised.
2) That the land needs to be used in a way that is compatible to the homestead and complementary to the surrounding homes.
After considerable deliberation by a committee set up (in 2005) to call for expressions of interest for the use of the block, it was recommended that the block be rezoned so that it could be used for aged care facilities in addition to community use.
The Gold Creek Homestead block is big enough to provide a combination of aged care facilities and community uses. The GCC and other community organisations have always supported the sensible development of the block; but we have also tried to link the sale of the land to the provision of community facilities. We believe that any money received from the sale of the block should be wholly used for improvements to the homestead and the provision of community facilities contained on the block.
With the knowledge of what happened with the Fyshwick Long-stay Caravan Park, the community needs to be vigilant in considering any options where the homestead and community facilities are not owned by the government. For this reason the GCC is supportive of a model that establishes a community based (not-for-profit) organisation, to be involved in the design of the community precinct and the management of these facilities after their completion.
One option that would provide for good utilisation of the land and the community facilities would be to combine a mixture of aged care facilities, accommodation and housing for older people, plus the establishment of an art, craft, workshop and community use precinct. This would be an example of community housing that would provide a structured transition for older people, who are looking for a way to make the change from their current home to an environment that provides them with facilities that will keep them active, without the responsibilities of owning and maintaining a large home, workshop, garden, etc.
The community facilities could provide activities like craft work, quilting, working with timber and metal, gardening, art, automotive restoration, pottery making and other compatible hobbies and interests. With innovative planning and a reasonable allocation of money and resources, Gungahlin could have a sustainable enterprise that will provide the general community and residents of the aged care establishment with facilities that are in high demand; in a location that is easily accessible to all residents of Gungahlin, Belconnen and North Canberra.
The Gungahlin Community Council will be having a general meeting that will focus on the Gold Creek Homestead. This meeting will be held at the Palmerston Community Hall on the 9th May 2007 (7.30pm to 9.30pm). Interested persons are invited to attend. If you have any suggestions you would like to contribute before the meeting, please email them to ec at gcc.asn.au.
Alternatively contact or write to PO Box 260 Gungahlin ACT 2912.
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