Ginninderry have concept designs for our newest suburb, Macnamara, ready to share with the community. If you are interested in getting information and providing feedback an online forum is being held. Please follow this link for more information:
Ginninderry have concept designs for our newest suburb, Macnamara, ready to share with the community. If you are interested in getting information and providing feedback an online forum is being held. Please follow this link for more information:
Belconnen trunk sewer update to BCC:
Icon Water recognise that it is a challenging time for our community – it is understood that with so much going on that this work is unlikely to be of priority, so are providing only a high level summary of where things are up to. Whilst the project is currently still on track with construction likely to commence in late 2020, it is possible that this may be delayed due to impacts of COVID-19.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the projects. Icon Water are committed to keeping the Belconnen community informed and have kept our website up to date based on feedback and questions we have received. We encourage those who want to know more to see the website (iconwater.com.au/bts) any questions can be emailed to [email protected] or you can talk to us on 6248 3111 (option 9). If you would like to receive updates on the project, please sign up on the website.
Project updates:
· The DAs for Projects 2 (Latham Odour Control Unit – OCU) and 3 (Florey OCU) were lodged with EPSDD in December 2019. Approval was received for Project 2 in March and it is expected that approval will soon follow for Project 3. Approval for Project 4 (Evatt OCU) was received in February.
· The revised Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared for Project 1 (2.4 km pipeline and odour control unit (OCU) at North Latham) and it is expected that the EIS and concurrent Development Application (DA) will be resubmitted later this month. Community feedback regarding the DA can be made directly to EPSDD during a 15 day notification period. Icon Water will provide update to those who have registered interest in the projects (including the Belconnen Community Council) when this occurs.
· Sewer bridge over Ginninderra Creek. During the notification period for the draft EIS on the pipeline, there was feedback received suggesting that the a pedestrian and cycle bridge could be installed over the planned sewer bridge in Melba above Ginninderra Creek. Cost of a footbridge needs to be balanced against benefit realised to the Canberra community. Options are currently being assessed and will be incorporated in the revised EIS.
· Delany Court playground in Melba. Icon Water had originally planned to consult with the community regarding whether this playground should be relocated, however following feedback, a decision has been made to have the playground remain in its current location. Consequently, during construction of the trunk sewer pipe the existing playground will be dismantled. Following installation of the new trunk sewer a new playground will be constructed in the existing site (at the end of Delany Court). This will involve some downtime for the playground of up to six months.
If you have questions, please have a look at the Icon Water website (iconwater.com.au/bts), send an email [email protected] or give them a call on 6248 3111 (option 9). There is also information on the website about Icon Water’s response to COVID-19 including advice on support that is available to customers.
The Office of Seniors and Veterans has provided the Belconnen Mens Shed (BMS) with funding to assist with the delivery of a program that will bring people together to discuss matters that are of interest to seniors. Although the BMS will coordinate the program; the events will be available to all female and male senior members of the ACT community.
The sessions will be focused on providing information to seniors that will assist them to make informed decisions or to source further information and assistance. The end goal of the program is to produce a reference guide for ACT seniors that provides information relating to:
• Legal services and support;
• Dealing with government agencies; • Coping with grief and changing circumstances;
• Considerations related to health services, medication, insurance and medical service providers;
• Adjusting to deteriorating health, mobility or finances; • Dealing with accommodation challenges;
• Planning for retirement;
• Household budgeting;
• Living on the Australian Age Pension;
• Matters related to relationships, families and older people in caring roles;
• Finding physical and social activities that are suitable for your needs.
Guest speakers will be able to provide information or answer questions. The presentations will not be related to marketing or any form of product specific promotion. The information sessions will commence during February 2020.
To gauge interest and decide information topics and the venue locations and the session times, a survey is available for interested seniors. The survey can be obtained at Terry White Chemmart pharmacy at Ainslie, Garran and Higgins, or from the COTA (ACT Office) located at the Hughes Community Centre, Wisdon St Hughes. It is also available on-line at https://tinyurl.com/tips4actseniors.
The survey feedback will be used to establish the dates, times and locations of the information sessions. The survey results will also be used to select the information session topics and prioritise the dates of each presentation.
Please find attached copy of the latest letter issued to local residents and businesses around Block 17 Section 152 Belconnen.
This month we are looking at the Buy Nothing movement, and the Geocon Republic shutdown and its impacts on the community.
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.
All welcome at this month’s Belconnen Community Council meeting on Tuesday 18 June at 7PM
There will be an update on the BCC submission on DV361 that would enable the conversion of public open space in Kippax, to become more shopping centr
The BCC Chair Glen Hyde will give a short presentation on what the 2019/20 budget has for Belconnen and what we think still needs funding.
All members of the public are welcome. Come along and tell us what you think Belconnen needs.
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 on Tuesday May 21 to discuss the benefits and impacts of the Kippax Master Plan and DV361
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://www.belcouncil.org.au/documents/kippax-questions-on-notice-may-19/
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.
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.
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 here.