Sue Atkinson is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Canberra who is conducting research into how people use social media to get information during bushfires.
It has been another busy month in North Canberra planning news. In particular, the recent use of Ministerial ‘call-in’ powers to fast-track the Dickson ‘Common Ground’ development exemplifies many of the concerns by residents about the current nature of the ACT’s planning processes.
A resident-initiated petition to the Legislative Assembly has been started to stop the relocation of the City West bus layover to the corner of Barry Drive and Watson St in Turner.
For those interested in the history of Canberra, a new edition of Alan Foskett’s book, “The Campbell Community: the history of the Canberra suburb of Campbell 1957-2008 (and before)” has been printed with generous support from the NCCC.
The NCCC notes that to date, the EPBC Act, with all its good intentions, has failed to arrest or reverse the continuing decline of biodiversity in Australia. A much more drastic,
radical, proactive and effective way needs to be found to address this fundamental crisis.
NCA is currently working on our tree management policy, a plan that will define how our urban treescape will look over the next 100 years and the pathway to make it happen. The Tree Management Policy (Draft) is now open for public consultation.
You are invited to attend a community drop-in session at the Australian War Memorial. At these sessions you can speak to Memorial staff about their Development Project plans
Temporary improvements to the Dickson Pool forecourt will help you enjoy this space more this summer. If you’ve come along to have a look at these improvements please take the ACT Government’s 2 minute survey so they know how you feel the new space is working and what else they could consider. Your feedback will inform a detailed design for other upgrades in the future. The upgrades follow engagement with the community, which told the ACT Government the upgrades were one of their top priorities and suggested how this space could be improved. The improvements include new landscaping, shade, seating, bike
The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal has varied the conditions of approval of a Northbourne Avenue development. As a result of an appeal brought by the North Canberra Community Council, the Tribunal ordered changes to the conditions that apply to the proposed development. The changes include reducing building heights, increasing on-site parking and increasing solar access. The tribunal also acknowledged that broader traffic issues “cannot be properly addressed by looking at one development, or even one street, but needs a broader approach.” The tribunals’ decision is at http://acat.act.gov.au/decisions/north-canberra-community-council-v-act-planning-and-land-authority-and-anor-administrative-review-2019-acat-87
City and Gateway Framework: National Trust presentation on National Capital Plan amendment 91, to NCCC meeting 19 June 2019
National Capital Plan amendment 91 includes new building height rules and a suite of other planning controls that make up the City and Gateway framework.
“North Canberra grassy woodlands presentation to the North Canberra Community Council general meeting, by Jochen Zeil, 15 May 2019.
The North Canberra Community Council receives support and funding from the ACT Government