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Gunsmoke 68...Gunsmoke 68...
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| Items that attract | Items that cause consideration |
| Favorable travel time | Difficult traffic conditions |
| Attractive fare structure | Shortage of available parking |
| Convenience of stations | Company and Government. incentives |
| Frequency of service | Environmental concerns |
| Passenger comfort at stations and in travel | Increases in the cost of car ownership, petrol or parking |
Gungahlin is at a stage where public transport could have a huge influence for purchasers of future homes. At this time there are two homes within easy walking distance of Flemington Road. In fifteen years there will be 15,000 to 30,000 people living within easy walking distance of Flemington Road. Would light rail be attractive to them?
See elsewhere on this website in the Council Activities section for more information on Light Rail.
What is required to deliver equitable transport corridors for Gungahlin?
Ian Ruecroft
In the Gungahlin Community Council’s comments relating to the Public Transport Futures Feasibility Study, the Council drew attention to the need for Gungahlin to have equitable transport corridors with other areas of the ACT. Following is a table based on information supplied at the first work shop relating to the extension of Gungahlin Drive. The document is:
“Figure C - Future population and employment – CADREF J:\17797\17797026 (2/12/96)”.
The figures relating to the population and employment forecasts are as contained in the report, this has been extended out to include an estimate of the probable number of people who would be required to travel out of the area for work commitments. The figures have been calculated on the formula of:
- Working population = Forecast population minus 50% (for people not required to travel out of the area for work commitments eg. children, people working from home, retirees etc).
- Traveling workers = Working population minus forecast employment positions
- Traveling workers per lane = Number of traveling workers divided by the number of future lanes (actual or calculated)
Click the graphic above for the full size table.
The three lanes currently identified as being available for Gungahlin are: The Barton Highway (1); Flemington Road (1) and William Slim Drive to the Glenloch interchange (1). In addition to this the following is planned:
- The Gungahlin Drive extension providing two extra lanes (one new and onetaken from Belconnen) = 2 extra lanes.
- Flemington Road becoming a dual roadway to the Federal Highway = 1 extra lane.
- The Horsepark Drive/ Majura Parkway being dual roadway = 2 extra lanes.
Note: Only one lane of the Barton is available for Gungahlin residents (the other lane is for NSW and Belconnen users).
The above calculations indicate that there is a need for at least an additional two lanes out of Gungahlin and that these lanes must be in the direction of the inner city areas (where the employment is). The Carnell Government’s suggestion of restricting the Gungahlin population of 100,000 people with an employment base of 15,000 still produced a travelling working population of 35,000 and requires 10 lanes to equitable to Tuggeranong , which is the most disadvantaged of all the other districts.
The GCC web site your online information source.
Gungahlin Community Council has an Internet web site where you can find all sorts of useful information about the council, on-going topics, happenings and events – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The site has been specifically designed to be as “user friendly” as possible. What makes our site unique amongst the local community councils is the way we are encouraging communication with you. You can send us a message or use the “Your Say” section on the site where your comments and thoughts will be published for all to see. (Think of it as an equivalent to “letters to the editor” section)
As print space in Gun Smoke is somewhat limited (and it costs a fair amount to produce each edition) we intend to use the Web site as a way of communicating some of the more complex and detailed topics and issues. For example we already have a very extensive section discussing Light Rail options.
Please don’t think that because you don’t have a computer at home you are excluded from accessing our web site… remember the Gungahlin library offers free use of their Internet terminals.
So where will you find us? Simply enter the address www.gcc.asn.au in your Internet browser. See you Online!
Council Submission Regarding Installation of Fibre Optic Cable Through Mulligans Flat
In late April the council submitted a response to PALM regarding a Preliminary Assessment for the installation of Fibre Optic Cable by a telecommunications carrier through the Mulligans Flat area. (A Nature Park Reserve to the North of Gungahlin).
Though not opposing the proposed works the council did raise some queries, concerns and suggestions as to why the cabling works could not avoid the Mulligans Flat area completely, and if this was not possible why directional underground boring should be used to lay the cable instead of the proposed surface trenching methods.
The complete Council submission as well as the executive summary, diagrams the Preliminary assessment and other related information can be found in the “Working Groups” section of the GCC web site.
 Click to download Council comments on the Preliminary Assessment |
Pre School in 2003
Gungahlin parents, of children who turn 4 years of age before 1st May 2003,are urged to register their children NOW for preschool in 2003.With the new preschool in Amaroo to be open for operation for the 2003 school year, there will be four preschools in Gungahlin next year.
To register your child for preschool please go to the one in your area between 1pm and 3.30pm any day except Wednesday and the staff will be happy to help you with the registration. If you have proof of birth for your child take it along too. For those unsure of your area preschool or who can’t get there during the hours stated above, please ring before you come.
- Amaroo 6205-8308 (Ngunnawal is taking registrations for the new preschool in Amaroo)
- Ngunnawal 6205-8308
- Nicholls 6205-2979
- Palmerston 6205-8361
People of Gungahlin – Time to Have Your Say
Gungahlin Development Authority
Last year the Gungahlin Development Authority carried out a program of market research about Gungahlin. The research was designed to find out more about who lives in Gungahlin, the things you like about the area, the things you don’t like and the sorts of things you would like to see out here. The outcome from the research can be seen on our website at www.act.gov.au/gungahlin. We use this information to assist with our planning and to inform people interested in coming to Gungahlin about what the community thinks.
As part of our need to keep up to date about community views in Gungahlin we are about to update this research, and have engaged Artcraft Research to do this for us.. Some of you may already have been interviewed over the phone, at the Gungahlin Marketplace or participated in a focus group as part of this process.
Enclosed in this issue of Gunsmoke is a questionnaire that asks about your views on the future development of the Gungahlin Town Centre. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to complete the questionnaire and forward it back to the Authority by reply paid post. Alternatively you can drop it in the box near our notice board in the Gungahlin Marketplace. Your views are critical in ensuring appropriate development in the Town Centre, so please consider completing the questionnaire. Please contact Chris Webb on 62075639 should you want further information.
What’s Happening in the Gungahlin Town Centre
The Gungahlin Development Authority is intending to release a number of sites in the Town Centre this calendar year for commercial, residential and community purposes. The following is a list of proposed releases:
Second Retail/Mixed-use Site - Expressions of interest were called for last year to develop a second retail/mixed-use site on Hibberson St. As a result of this, a select tender process will soon be conducted with a view to selling one or more sites for this purpose later in the year.
Yerrabi Estate Stage 2 – The Authority will be developing Yerrabi Estate Stage 2 as a pilot public sector land development project. The site, which adjoins the Yerrabi Pond District Park, will comprise approximately 260 dwellings. This estate will compliment Horse Park Estate, an estate of 470 dwellings sold by the Authority last year to Canberra Residential Developments.
Construction on a childcare centre on the corner of Valley Avenue and Gozzard Street will commence soon and is expected to be completed early next year.
Other proposed releases – fast food site, motor trades/car wash site, service station, commercial child care site, other retail uses.
In addition to the above, the extension of Anthony Rolfe Ave from Gozzard St to Flemington Road is soon to be commenced. This project will be completed early in 2003.
Please contact the Authority on 6207-5565 or visit www.act.gov.au/gungahlin for more information.
Planning for Gungahlin
Planning and Land Management
A regular update on planning issues from ACT Planning and Land Management
Looking at Community Facilities
PALM is conducting the Community Facility Needs Assessment, a study of the use and supply of community facility land throughout Gungahlin, Central Canberra and Belconnen. Community facility land is used for developments such as child care centres, community activity centres, health facilities, places of worship and schools.
The study is identifying gaps and hearing views about possible future use of community facilities on land zoned for community use. A recent workshop held in Gungahlin highlighted some of the special needs of Gungahlin residents, including the need for childcare facilities. Other issues that are being discussed include access to facilities, sustainability, flexibility, and management of the facilities.
Those who missed the Gungahlin workshop will still be able to contribute to the study online by following the links from ‘Consultation’ at the PALM website: www.palm.act.gov.au. You can also ring Megan Hansford at PALM on 6207 1738.
The Canberra of the Future!
What will our city look like in 100 years time? Where and how will people live? How will they get around? PALM is asking high school students to share their ideas via Imagining Canberra.
Imagining Canberra is an urban design competition that challenges teams of students to propose innovative planning solutions for a future Canberra and present their ideas in text, drawings and art.
The competition is run in conjunction with the National Archives of Australia exhibition ’A Vision Splendid – how the Griffins imagined Australia’s capital’. The exhibition displays the original winning design for Canberra and runs until 1 September.
A competition brief with all the information schools need to get involved has been sent to every ACT and region high school. There is more information on Imagining Canberra online at www.palm.act.gov.au/whatsnew or by ringing Anthony Burton on 6207 1706.
Gungahlin’s next suburbs
What do Casey, Taylor, Moncrieff, Jacka, Bonner and Forde have in common? They are the six names of Canberra’s newest suburbs.
PALM released an outline of the suburbs, the North Gungahlin Structure Plan, for public comment last year. The consultation produced a range of comments and PALM has been working on refining and updating the structure plan to reflect the views and aspirations expressed for the new suburbs. A newsletter covering the results of consultation and outlining the next steps will be available shortly.
A draft variation to the Territory Plan covering the new suburbs, accompanied by a Preliminary Assessment and Background report, is expected to be released mid year. All Canberrans will be able to comment through the draft variation process.
If you would like more information, or a copy of the upcoming North Gungahlin newsletter, please ring Alison Stringer on 6207 2693.
Gungahlin Dirt - Plant Selection
Lisa Kaveney
When selecting plants for your garden it’s essential you have an understanding of plants that not only do well in your climate, but also are capable of growing with your soil type, water quality and availability.
A wonderful way to recognise plants that do well in your neighbourhood, is to potter or drive around, (often considered as snooping but I see it as broadening my horizons) observe and ask about the plants you like that are thriving.
There will always be plants that do well that you don't like, just as there will be plants you like that do poorly. Not only that, some plants will do well in some suburbs and not others, just to make us all frustrated I'm quite sure.
A good example of this is the magnificent Rhododendrons and Azaleas that grow and flourish in the more mature suburbs of inner Canberra. But if you try and grow these in exposed regions with little or no upper storey (trees) these plants will struggle and most likely die.
Of coarse with time, as trees grow and the eventual eco-systems develop within your own garden and then your entire suburb, a wider range of plants may be used.
The point I am getting to here is that even though plants may seem common in certain suburbs, regions or cities, these plants are reliably tolerant of local conditions, soil types, water quality.
The bottom line is, beautiful gardens have healthy plants so use the plants that work and they will reward you with years of pleasure.
Jobs for June
- Cut down chrysanthemums
- Divide, replant herbaceous perennials, apply compost to beds
- Move cymbidium orchids into light position as flower spikes develop
- Plant strawberries
- Plant perennials, roses and bare-rooted (deciduous) trees and shrubs
- This is a great time to re-assess the garden to consider which plants need to be moved; altered or improved
- Prune wisteria for better flowering
- Prune topiary plants to maintain shape and style
- Prune hydrangeas
- Potted cyclamen should be placed outdoors overnight.
GUNGAHLIN WEATHER CENTRE - MAY 2002
Gungahlin Weather Centre
Odds favour a warmer winter for Gungahlin.
Need another excuse to have a flutter? If so, why not bet on the weather. Mind you, I have studied all things meteorological for over 20 years, and I wouldn't personally recommend it!
Well if you still have more money than sense, consider betting that winter 2002 across Gungahlin will be warmer than normal, because according to the Bureau of Meteorology's National Climate Centre (NCC), odds clearly favour above average temperatures for this winter.
To illustrate the point, if we run a line across Australia (from Broome in WA to Rockhampton in QLD) areas to the south of the line (which include Gungahlin) look like having a 60% chance of experiencing above average winter maximum temperatures. It gets even better if you were planning a trip to Western Australia during the winter, as the chances of warmer than normal maximums in much of that state increase to almost 80%.
Computer modelling at the NCC is also showing a 40%-60% chance of the region experiencing above average winter minimum temperatures.
How can we be so sure?
The short answer is - we can't! These probabilities have resulted from higher than average sea temperatures across much of the tropical Pacific, and a warming Indian Ocean. Bureau of Meteorology data indicates that with climate patterns as they are at present, about 7 winters out of every 10 are warmer than average, with 3 out of 10 being cooler.
So what does it all mean?
I'd keep my money in your pocket if I were you!! Oh, and I wouldn't be packing away the winter woollies either.
For the record - The average temperature range in Gungahlin during winter is:
- June: 0.9°C to 12.5°C.
- July: 0.6°C to 12.1°C.
- August: 1.2°C to 13.6°C.
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