Planning refresh strikes right balance in our bush capital
20 December 2018
ACT Government: A refresh of the ACT Planning
Strategy has delivered a
planning vision for the
ACT that continues to provide for growth and supports strong
communities while retaining the bush capital character we know and love.
The 2018 Planning Strategy builds on the solid foundations of the 2012
strategy, and presents a plan that reflects the changes we continue to
face as a city.
With a projected population of half a million by 2030, our commitments
to a carbon neutral future, a
light rail network and our
urban renewal
program, are just some of the significant changes the ACT has seen since
the strategy was last released in 2012.
We want to protect what’s unique about our city and maintain the natural
setting that Canberrans value, but if we keep growing outwards we will
significantly eat into the highly valued bush and grassland
environments.
The strategy recognises the need to protect these defining elements of
our city; our green space, diversity of lifestyle choices and our
bushland setting.
To plan for our growth, the strategy highlights that the development of
land will focus on the CBD, town centres and dedicated major transport
corridors. The strategy is setting directions for the future; for
Canberra as an attractive, equitable and competitive city, one that the
current and future citizens and visitors enjoy.
The strategy provides the framework for
Canberra to continue as a
liveable city and provides a balance between urban expansion with
further release of greenfield land.
I’m pleased to say that the voice of the community has been a key part
of forming this strategy. While it is underpinned by research and
evidence, the ideas and actions that emerged during 13 weeks of
community engagement helped drive and inform the strategy and its
directions.
The community has sent us a strong message that continued sprawl into
bushland is not sustainable and that
Canberra will have more density within the city, as long as it’s
delivered with green spaces, trees and an ongoing respect for our
natural
environment. This strategy sets out how we’ll create accessible and
diverse spaces that connect people and communities.
This work is an important step in the planning process for our city and
provides a foundation for our review of the Territory Plan commencing
early next year.
The 2018 ACT Planning Strategy and community engagement reports can be
found online at
www.act.gov.au/planningstrategy.
--ENDS--
Source: ACT Government - www.cmd.act.gov.au
Contact: Media Contact: Bernadette Brennan 0423 500 563
External Links: www.act.gov.au/planningstrategy
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