The Belconnen Community Council (BCC) is urging the ACT Government to improve and expand Margaret Timpson Park, creating a larger, greener, and more usable public space in the heart of Belconnen.
Block 45 Section 54 Belconnen, next to Margaret Timpson Park – commonly known as the “big hole in the ground” – presents an opportunity to create a vibrant, people-focused space that better serves the needs of a growing town centre.
The park’s current size and design do not meet the needs of an increasingly dense and busy town centre, says BCC Chair, Lachlan Butler.
“The Belconnen Town Centre is home to thousands of residents, yet it lacks the public space and amenities to match. If we expect people to embrace higher-density living, we need to give them the community infrastructure that supports a high quality of life,” Mr Butler said.
He warned that without better planning, the town centre risks becoming a collection of high-rise dormitories rather than a vibrant town centre.
“Do we want our town centres to be just places where people sleep, or do we want them to be destinations—places with jobs, activity, and spaces where people actually want to spend time?”
Recent BCC community surveys found overwhelming support for more greenery and improved public spaces in the town centre. Instead of selling this land for development, the ACT Government should commit to expanding Margaret Timpson Park and ensure it remains public space for future generations.
“While the ACT Government has committed to upgrading amenities at the park, this is only the start. With Belconnen’s rapid growth, we need to plan for the future by securing more high-quality public space now,” Mr Butler said.
“This is about long-term planning and making sure Belconnen’s public spaces reflect its growth,” Mr Butler said. “We urge the government to work with us and the community to make this happen.”
The BCC encourages residents to share their views through our Belconnen Town Centre survey found on our website.
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You can find the print version of this media release here.