Issues related to Housing

Planning and Design for Living Infrastructure as part of Residential Intensification in a Changing Climate

ACT Government commissioned analysis finds that “current planning policy and statutory controls are not producing intended living infrastructure outcomes. Although development is currently compliant with existing statutory requirements under the Territory Plan, current statutory controls allow development approval to be achieved through the application of criteria that undermine the aim of rules intended to support living infrastructure.”

Improving the ACT Building Regulatory System

This review of the building regulatory system is part of ongoing ACT Government reforms to ensure buildings meet contemporary standards – and the expectations of the community, industry practitioners and businesses and government alike. The Government is proposing reforms to the regulatory system, with the primary focus on residential buildings—single dwellings, townhouses and apartment buildings—and management of retention and project payments. Some of the proposals also apply to non-residential buildings. Anyone with an interest in building and construction is invited to have their say on the proposals outlined in the paper For more information, go to http://haveyoursay.planning.act.gov.au/improving-the-act-building-regulatory-system

Community Consultation 28 October on development of ‘Midtown,’ 219 Northbourne Avenue (Block 8 Section 58 Turner)

North Canberra Community Council members are invited to attend a community information session on this proposed development, to be held from 3:30pm –to 5:30pm on 28 October at the RUC Turner (54 McCaugley Street, Turner). The Developer has advised that:

Asbestos Response Task Force to present to North Canberra Community Council – 21 April

The ACT Government Asbestos Response Task Force has agreed to present to the North Canberra Community Council meeting on 21 April 2015. The Task Force expects to address topics including: an update on the buyback scheme what support is being provided to homeowners support specific to elderly homeowners information about the pilot demolitions how the program will affect the wider community, and the proposed territory plan variation The meeting will be at 7.30 pm at the Function Room in the Majura Community Centre, 2 Rosevear Place Dickson – click for map

Auditor-general Maxine Cooper calls for tighter planning controls, greater monitoring of certifiers

ACT auditor-general Maxine Cooper is calling for tighter planning processes after finding some houses built in Canberra should not have been approved. Mike Hettinger from the North Canberra Community Council wants to see stronger checks by planning authorities on building projects listed as exempt. Under the current planning system, a house can be built in an existing residential area without development approval, provided a private building certifier checks it complies with certain rules. After examining seven case studies, Dr Cooper found that two of the houses should not have been approved. Dr Cooper says monitoring of certifiers was inadequate. Read …

Mediation to continue over Raiders’ Braddon Club site

Mediation between North Canberra Community Council and the Canberra Raider’s will continue over the car park at Northbourne Oval but plans for an $80 million development of the Braddon Club site could be headed for the courts. North Canberra Community Council member Leon Arundell said mediation on the Braddon Club plan hadn’t worked and they were deciding whether to pursue the matter in court.