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Gunsmoke 72...Gunsmoke 72...
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 Click to download Download a copy of Gunsmoke 72 so you can print out a copy of the letter to post to the ACT Chief Minister |
The Gungahlin Town Centre - Do you have concerns about how it is being developed?
In the November issue of Gunsmoke, the Gungahlin Community Council (GCC) published the results of the recent community survey. The survey identified the issue of development in the Gungahlin Town Centre as being of major concern to the Gungahlin community. More than 90% of people preferred the proposed “Pedestrian Town Square” model to the existing “Main Street” development.
Although it must be remembered that commenting on any project that is only partially completed could be unwise, the GCC is of the opinion that now is the time to act, if the community is serious about changing how the Gungahlin Town Centre is to be developed. For this reason the Council has decided to go back to the community and ask for their help in trying to persuade the Government, Gungahlin Development Authority (GDA) and the Department of Planning and Land Management (PALM) to reconsider how Gungahlin’s major retail centre should be developed.
Comments from the Gungahlin community
Interviews with residents and comments entered on the survey forms, indicate that residents consider that the current development is lacking pedestrian safety, social character and community focus. There is a lack of confidence “that the planners have got it right” and a real concern that the Gungahlin Town Centre will end up as a sub-standard retail precinct which is neither practical or attractive.
Although quite a few residents commented that a “Mall similar to Belconnen” would be their first preference, at this stage of Gungahlin’s development that option may not be possible. Many residents were supportive of the pedestrian town square proposal and most people were in favour of stopping traffic in the main street (Hibberson St).
The current situation
The GCC understands that, to date, there have been no contracts awarded which would prevent redesigning the town centre area to accommodate a pedestrian town square. Traffic could be permitted to enter and leave the main street area in a structured road network similar to the southern end of Ainslie Ave (between London Circuit and City Walk). However the GCC is aware that the GDA has asked for tenders for the sale of several blocks of land which, if sold, will prevent any future changes to the area.
GCC actions to date
After considering the results of the community survey, the Council published the complete report on the GCC website www.gcc.asn.au. The Council also sent a copy of the report to each member of the Legislative Assembly and to the GDA. To date there has been no response and the Council believes that unless the community is prepared to be vocal, contracts will be awarded that will make changes to the town centre development almost impossible.
How can you help?
If you believe that development of the Gungahlin Town Centre should be changed, there are at least a few things you can do. Please do it before Xmas.
- Fill out the “letter to the Chief Minister” on the following page. Please make any comments you have in the “comments” section of the form or attach additional information if your comments will not fit in the space provided.
- Email Jon Stanhope by visiting the GCC website (www.gcc.asn.au) and click on the “send an email to the Chief Minister”. This will give you prompts to complete an email (the same as the letter on the following page). A copy of your email will be sent to all other MLAs plus the GDA, PALM, Bob McMullan, Margaret Reid, Kate Lundy and the GCC. Note: The email will have your email address on it.
- Other actions that can be taken are: Send your own letter or email to the GDA, PALM and any or all of the MLAs (preferably Molonglo and/or Ginninderra members). All members have their email addresses on page 54 of the White Pages, with surname@act.gov.au. Alternatively you could contact any of the MLAs and make an appointment with them to express your concerns.
Related Documents
Click to download Gungahlin Community Survey 2002 Report |
How to show your support for a Pedestrian Precinct Town Square in Gungahlin
Write and Send a Letter to the ACT Chief Minister – Mr. Jon Stanhope MLA:
- Separate the page to the right.
- If more than one person in your household wants to send a letter please photocopy as many times as appropriate.
- Complete the top portion of the letter with your name, address, date
- Add any comments you wish to make in the box provided
- Sign the letter
- Fold the letter along the dotted lines so that the address is showing
- Tape or staple the folded paper
- Affix postage (45c stamp) and mail the letter
or
- Either drop the letter off opposite register 6 at Woolworths at the Gungahlin Marketplace, the Gungahlin Community Council will ensure that the letter is delivered to the Chief Minister
Email the ACT Chief Minister -- Mr Jon Stanhope MLA (as well as the other ACT MLA’s, Federal Member for Fraser, the two ACT Senators, Executive Director of PALM and the Chief Executive Officer of the Gungahlin Development Authority).
- Go to the Gungahlin Community Council Web Inc. Web Page at www.gcc.asn.au and follow the link “How to show your support for a Pedestrian Precinct Town Square In Gungahlin“
- Add any additional comments you wish to make in the comment box provided
- Enter your name (this is mandatory)
- Enter your e-mail address (this is mandatory)
- Click the “Send Letter” button
- If you have more than one member of your household that wishes to send the letter in this manner, complete the above process for each household member.
Text of the Letter to the ACT Chief Minister
Name(s) .................................................
Street Address .......................................
Suburb & Post Code: ..............................
Date: ..../..../....
Attn: Mr Jon Stanhope - MLA
ACT Chief Minister
ACT Legislative Assembly Building
Civic Square, London Circuit,
Canberra ACT 2601
A Pedestrian Precinct Town Square for Gungahlin Town Centre
Dear Mr. Stanhope,
I wish to register my concern with the way that the Gungahlin Town Centre is currently being developed.
As you are aware the Gungahlin Community Council has recently published the results of their community survey. The survey has identified the issue of development in the Gungahlin Town Centre as being of major concern to Gungahlin residents. In that survey, more than 90% of participants preferred the proposed ‘Pedestrian Town Square’ model to the existing ‘Main Street’ development.
I believe that the current development is lacking pedestrian safety, social character and community focus. I am not confident that the planners have got it right, and I have a real concern that the Gungahlin Town Centre will end up as a sub-standard retail precinct that is neither practical nor attractive. Like many other residents I am supportive of a pedestrian precinct town square and in favour of stopping all through traffic in the Gungahlin Town Centre main street - Hibberson Street. Non-through traffic access should be provided by a structured road network, in a manner similar to the southern end of Ainslie Ave (between London Circuit and City Walk). A cul-de-sac could also be an acceptable compromise.
I understand that, to date, there have been no contract(s) awarded which would preclude or prevent modifying the town centre area plans to accommodate such a pedestrian precinct town square. However, I am aware that the Gungahlin Development Authority (GDA) has called for tenders for the sale of several blocks of land and with the imminent signing of contracts, this will prevent any future changes to the area and in particular a pedestrian precinct town square.
I would like to see the Gungahlin Town Centre developed around the concept of a pedestrian precinct town square, and call on you as the Chief Minister to take the appropriate measures to ensure that no actions are taken that would preclude a pedestrian precinct town square from happening in Gungahlin.
[additional writers comments inserted here]
Yours Sincerely
........................
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