Earlier this month, the ACT Government rejected a proposal for a direct sale and redevelopment of the Hawker Group Centre. The reason provided was that the proposal did not include plans for housing.
With the government’s decision, there is now an opportunity to reset the approach and undertake genuine consultation with the community on the future of the Hawker Shops.
The Belconnen Community Council (BCC) has heard from the community that trust and confidence in both the ACT Government and developers can be eroded when planning processes lack transparency and fail to properly consider community voices. The Hawker Group Centre is an important part of Belconnen, and its future should be shaped by meaningful engagement with those who use it every day. We thank Minister Steel for now directly calling on the proponent to conduct such consultation.
“This decision gives us a chance to get the process right,” said BCC Chair, Lachlan Butler. “We need a clear, transparent approach where the community is engaged from the outset, not presented with decisions after they have already been made.”
The BCC does not oppose redevelopment. However, any planning must be fair, equitable, and responsive to community needs. This means ensuring that local businesses, residents, and the broader public are actively involved in shaping a commercially viable outcome that also delivers long-term benefits for the community.
“We recognise that the Hawker Shops would benefit from investment and improvement,” Mr Butler said. “But that investment should be guided by the people who rely on the centre—not just by short-term commercial interests or government priorities.”
The BCC’s 2023 Hawker Shops survey showed strong support for improvements but also that a diversity of views on what those improvements should look like exists.
Community input leads to better planning outcomes,” Mr Butler said. “We need open discussions and as far as possible, a transparent process—especially if a direct sale is still on the table.”
The BCC remains committed to working with the ACT Government and all stakeholders to ensure the redevelopment of the Hawker Group Centre is handled in a way that strengthens its role in the Belconnen district and meets both current and future needs.
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You can find the print version of this media release here.