Chair Community, Government, Information, Media Reports, News, News and Events, Notices, Planning

Community Announcement: Planning Act Amendments and Community Engagement

With the passage of the new Planning Act last week, the Belconnen Community Council was glad to see the inclusion of key amendments that we lobbied for. These amendments addressed our concerns about community consultation and pre-DA consultation. These changes prioritized the voices of our community in the planning process, and we are grateful for this significant step forward compared to the draft bill.

However, while we appreciate the amendments, we acknowledge that concerns remain regarding the outcomes-based system and how it will impact Belconnen residents. In this vein, we support the built-in review mechanism to evaluate the system’s effectiveness and the potential need for further reforms. The government should be proactive and consider a continuous evaluation and review process of the planning system. We believe in ensuring active community participation in shaping the planning outcomes that impact our neighborhoods.

Additionally, we are disappointed that governance arrangements were not prioritized from the beginning. However, we welcome the amendment requiring an independent review of the governance arrangements within 12 months of the Planning Act’s passage. This review should examine the effectiveness of the independent planning body and explore the potential of local design panels, both of which we advocated for in our submission on the draft Bill. These measures will contribute to a more inclusive and community-centric planning framework.

We express our gratitude to the ACT Government, the Opposition and all stakeholders involved for their efforts in addressing our concerns and taking meaningful steps towards creating a more consultative and inclusive planning framework.

However our work is not yet done, we will keep advocating for the best planning outcomes for our community and if you are interested in helping out, we would love to hear from you.

The BCC remains committed to advocating for genuine and transparent community engagement in planning, and for a fit-for-purpose territory plan, district strategy, and design guides that deliver for the Belconnen community while delivering the housing our city needs.

Together, let’s shape the future of our community! 🌍✨

Admin Community, General, Meetings, News, News and Events, Notices, Planning

BCC July Public Meeting – Geocon site shutdown and Buy Nothing

The monthly public meeting of the Belconnen Community Council will be held on Tuesday 16 July at the Community Room above the Belconnen Library from 7 to 9 PM.

This month we are looking at the Buy Nothing movement, which is a good way that community members can share resources, recycle unused or unwanted items, avoid landfill and save money!

We will then hold a discussion about the Geocon Republic DA refusal, the shutdown and cessation of work at the building site and its impacts on the community.

All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Admin Community, Notices, Planning, Uncategorized

Submissions to ACT Government on Kippax DV361 close Friday June 28th

The community has been very vocal in supporting the retention of public open space behind Kippax Fair, and not happy that it could be turned into a shopping centre.

Submissions to the ACT Government on this Draft Variation close Friday June 28th. You can email your submission to terrplan@act.gov.au

The BCC presented a draft of our submission at the June 18th BCC Public Meeting. That draft is available here:

http://belconnen.org.au/documents/draft-bcc-submission-on-territory-plan-draft-variation-361/

If you are making a submission it may assist the assessors if in addition to opposing the loss of public open space, that you suggest an alternative. That may include:

  • using Block 89 for the expanded retail space instead of Block 51 (The playing fields behind Kippax Fair)
  • ensuring that community facilities that are going to be removed are replaced on a like for like basis
  • that any loss of public open space from Kippax, is made up with new community zoned space in West Belconnen

The Belconnen Community Council are working hard to achieve the best outcome from this process, and although DV361 and the Kippax Masterplan have not met community expectations, with a poor community return compared to the massive commercial benefit, the strong community response has not gone unnoticed by the ACT Government. A better result can occur if the community demands it.

Admin Community, Government, Meetings, News, Planning

MAY BCC Public Meeting 21 May 2019 – The Kippax Master Plan and DV 361- benefits and impacts


All members of the public are invited to attend the May Public Meeting of the Belconnen Community Council at Kippax Raiders Club on Hardwicke Cres, Holt.

When: Tuesday 21 May 7PM to 9PM- 7.00 pm

Agenda

  • 7.00PM Welcome
  • Chairs Report
  • MLA updates (any MLA’s present may give a 5 minute update)
  • 7.20pm TBD
  • 7.30pm Kippax Masterplan and DV 361 – discussion about its benefits and impacts to the community, and the loss of public open space.

EPSDD assure us that planners will attend this session!

This event will be live streamed on Facebook

Admin Community, Government, Meetings, News and Events, Planning, Uncategorized

Kippax Master Plan and DV 361 Update: Submission deadline extended and Planning Minister responds to questions about the Kippax Master Plan, DV 361 and the loss of public open space


Following the April public meeting of the Belconnen Community Council, held to discuss the benefits and problems with the Kippax Master Plan, Draft Variation 361 (that enables the loss of public open space for a shopping centre). Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur (who attended the meeting), undertook to ask questions about the issues raised by the many members of the community that attended.

Planning Minister Mick Gentleman MLA has responded, in a very timely fashion. The full document is at this link: http://belconnen.org.au/documents/kippax-questions-on-notice-may-19/

Response by Planning Minister to Questions by Caroline Le Couteur MLA

Submission deadline extended until June

As a result of no ACT Government planners attending the April meeting (despite the BCC being assured they would attend), Tara Cheyne MLA for Ginninderra (who was also at the April meeting) undertook to write to the Planning Minister to seek an extension to the May 10 deadline for submissions on DV 361. That was granted, and the deadline has now been extended to June.

Letter from Tara Cheyne MLA advising that the submission deadline has been extended

BCC Public meeting on May 21 to discuss Kippax Master Plan and DV 361

The BCC will be holding a second public meeting on the Kippax Master Plan and DV 361 on May 21 at the Kippax Raiders Club at 7PM. We are advised an ACT Government Planner will attend this meeting to explain the Master Plan and DV 361 to the community.

Admin Community, Government, News, Planning

Kippax Master Plan Information and Documents

The Kippax Master Plan area


The Kippax Master Plan process has been running since 2014 and has been through extensive community consultation. The BCC are very disappointed that the 2019 Master Plan reflects the private Master Plan proposed by Elton consulting on behalf off the owners of Kippax Fair, and not the outcomes presented in the 2016 draft Master Plan. The BCC have major concerns about the loss of public open space and insufficient community facilities under the 2019 Kippax Master Plan.

In March 2019 the ACT Government released the Kippax Master Plan and DV 361, the associated Draft Variation to amend the Territory plan, required for the public open space to be sold off for use as a shopping centre. Documents relating to the process and the community responses, are available below.

Any submissions on the Draft Variation, that will enable the public open space, currently used as playing fields by the community, to be sold off, must be made by May 10 2019.

Admin Community, Meetings, News, News and Events

Belconnen Community Council April Public Meeting – The Kippax Masterplan and DV 361 benefits and impacts – Tuesday 16 April 7PM to 9PM

Belconnen Community Council April Public Meeting
Tuesday 16 April 7PM to 9PM
– 7.00 pm Welcome
– Chairs Report
– MLA updates (any MLA’s present may give a 5 minute update)
– 7.20pm Pre D.A. Community Consultation guidelines
– 7.30pm Kippax Masterplan and DV 361 – discussion about its benefits and impacts to the community, and the loss of public open space.

All members of the public are welcome to attend.

This event will be live streamed.

Admin Community, Government, Meetings, News, Planning

Belconnen Community Council March Public Meeting

Belconnen Community Council March Public Meeting

The monthly public meeting of the Belconnen Community Council will be held on:

7PM Tuesday 19 March 2019

at the

Community Room, above the Belconnen Library, Chandler Street, Belconnen.

Agenda

This month there are three presentations of interest to Belconnen residents –  redevelopment plans for the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets, MLA Suzanne Orr talking about Giralang and Kaleen issues, and open discussion on budget priorities for the Belconnen Community Council budget submission

7 – 7.15 PM       Chairs report

7.15 – 7.30 PM   Any MLA present may provide a five minute update to residents.

7.30 – 8.00 PM   An update from the owners of the Belconnen Markets on their redevelopment plans for the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets

8.00 – 8.20 PM  MLA Suzanne Orr about Giralang and Kaleen issues

8.20 – 8.45 PM open discussion on budget priorities for the Belconnen Community Council budget submission.

8.45 PM            Meeting closed

The event will be live streamed on our Facebook page from 7PM

Admin Uncategorized

BCC February Public Meeting – 19 Feb

Belconnen Community Council February 2019 Public Meeting

The monthly public meeting of the Belconnen Community Council will be held on:

7PM Tuesday 19 February 2019

at the

Community Room, above the Belconnen Library, Chandler Street, Belconnen.

Agenda

This month there are three presentations of interest to Belconnen residents:

7 – 7.15 PM       Chairs report

7.15 – 7.30 PM   Any MLA present may provide a five minute update to residents.

7.30 PM            Canberra Town Planning on a proposed redevelopment at 40 Chan St, Belconnen Town Centre.
  
8.00 PM            Transport Canberra will consult with the Belconnen community on the “Moving Canberra” integrated transport strategy.
 
8.45 PM            The BCC Chair will announce a street library initiative between the BCC and local community groups and residents.

Admin Community, General, Government, Meetings, News and Events, Notices, Planning

May Belconnen Community Council public meeting – DV342 Town Centre Precinct Code consultation

The May 2018 public meeting of the Belconnen Community Council will be held on:

7PM Tuesday 15 May 2018

at the

BCS Theatrette, Swanson Ct, Belconnen Town Centre.

A brief agenda:

  • Welcome from BCC Chair, Glen Hyde
  • A brief update from the BCC Chair on the activities of the BCC over the past month
  • Update from local MLA’s
  • 7.30 – Presentation on the Old Weetangerra Road Project
  • 8.00 – ACT Government planners will present to the community on DV342 the proposed precinct code arising from the Belconnen Town Centre Master Plan, and DV365 on removing the requirement to supply natural gas to Ginninderry suburbs.

All BCC members and members of the public are welcome to attend. For further information email: hello@belcouncil.org.au

DV342 – Precinct code for the Belconnen Town Centre

DV342 is the proposed precinct code following on from the 2016 Belconnen Town Centre Master Plan.

You can download a copy from here.
More information can be found here.

The ACT Government invite written comment on the draft variation from the public by22 June 2018

Old Weetangera Road Trail (Stage 1) Project Overview
Weetangera Road was the original trackway (and subsequent Parish Road) running west from the  Canberra valley, over Bruce Ridge to the Belconnen (formerly Weetangera) region, and onwards to the ford at the junction of the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Rivers.

Likely dating back to the very earliest days of European settlement in the region, and perhaps even  earlier, it is still visible as either current road alignments, bikeways or remnant tracks running through public land. The route links up many heritage sites in the Belconnen district, and plays an important role in the pre-1960s oral history relating to the region.

This interpretive trail will form an active travel exploration route between markers (similar to those in the Forde Heritage park) installed at key locations along the line of the old road.

The trail will start (or end) at the Lyneham Wetlands, with a ‘Canberra Tracks’ sign showing the full route installed in the park opposite 162 Dryandra Street. Each sign will have a short description of local heritage sites around that section of the road.

In future, short videos could be produced by local groups or schools and triggered by each sign. The trail could be extended to the ford at the Molonglo and Murrumbidge’s junction and link in with the Uriarra Loop track. It could also follow along Coppins Crossing road to the south and link with the Butters Bridge, engaging new developments in the region with some of its oldest European heritage.