Town Centre

Belconnen Twilight Markets Oct 5th

Belconnen Twilight Market Friday 5th Oct – Food, live music and stalls

Belconnen Twilight Markets Oct 5th

Belconnen Twilight Markets Oct 5th

The third part of the Belconnen Showcase will take place on Friday October 5th from 4 to 8 PM, in Margaret Timpson Park in the Belconnen Town Centre.

It is a free event and everyone is welcome!

Over 50 of the stalls are Belconnen local businesses or operated by people who live in Belconnen. Many of the performers are also Belconnen locals.

Below is the list of Stalls, Performers and Food Vans at the Belconnen Twilight Market .

Live music will be from 4 to 8 PM from the stage, where people eating and relaxing on the grass can listen to local performers, with the announcement of the Belconnen Town Centre Photo Competition  winners by Tara Cheyne MLA at 8PM

Stalls:

Warehouse Circus
Belconnen Animal Hospital
ACT Rescue & Foster
Evatt Bike Path Transition Group
Vegan Healthy Living
Flying Lady Ceramics
Caroles Fairies
Quality Cushions
Sia Creations
Wattlebird soaps
Dear Bianca Design
Babbette’s Belfry
Kiran Design
Scentsy with Amy
Threads by CRD
Astrid Collarde
Winter Yarn
Word Matters
GIVIT
Sues Creations
Black Swan Sole Design
Dragon Scales and Mermaid Tales
Specsavers Belconnen
Hemp Fashion
Daineres Rainbow
Emma Maja Design
Larry Brandy Aboriginal Storyteller
Made To Inspire
E29UC
Dee’s Book and Comic Shop
Service One Alliance Bank
Style Dots
Another Chance OP Shop
Rainbowtopia
UC Ginninderra Athletics and the UC Athletics Academy
Brumbies
Belconnen Community Council
Belconnen Labor Club
Belconnen Arts Centre
Access Canberra
Tara Cheyne MLA – Photographic Competition Finalists
Education Directorate
EPSDD
Transport Canberra & City Services
Belconnen Community Services
University of Canberra
Ginninderry
Cirrus/Colliers
Moongazer studio
Drommeren/Akka Ballenger
Lucy Gemma Design
Tomato+sage
Bettys Knits
Heavenly scents
Canberra Capitals
GEOCON

Performers:

Johnny Huckle
Lisa Maps
Trevor Takkenberg
Humbug
Frank Zappia music
Ben Drysdale Music
Claire Paton Music
Doctor Stovepipe

Sit on the grass listening to music and enjoying a beautiful Belconnen afternoon!

Food Vans:

Lake Ginninderra Sea Scouts (sausage sizzle)
Yummy Thai Catering
Grill-ax
Pot Belly – Wignall brewery
Woodlands BBQ
Sly Fox Coffee
In The Cloudz Fairy Floss
Chameleon Icecreamery
Come and Get it Hotdogs
Fricken
Dannys Argentinean Chorizo

EVERYBODY IS WELCOME !

Belco twilight market corflute

Belco twilight market corflute

October 4, 2018 in Community, News, News and Events, Uncategorized

Belconnen Twilight Market in Margaret Timpson Park October 5th 2018

Belco twilight market

On Friday 5 October from 4:30pm-8:30pm, Belconnen Town Centre will come to life at the Belconnen Twilight Market in Margaret Timpson Park.

There will be a range of  local stallholders offering everything from crafts, food, art, ceramics, candles, crystals, fairies, community groups and storytelling! There will be food trucks and music, and a place to relax around the iconic grassed pyramids.

  • There are 57 confirmed stalls and 13 food vendors.
  • 43 of the stallholders are located in Belconnen or live in Belconnen.

The Twilight Markets are the third part of the ACT Government sponsored “Belconnen Showcase” a program designed to promote Belconnen  as a place to do business, and to enjoy life and community.

Community groups and people who make and sell crafts, art or food have an opportunity to setup a stall and either sell to the public or tell them what they do and spread their  message. There is no charge for stallholders to attend.  If you’re a local maker, artist, community or sporting group, or have a food truck, send your Expression of Interest in by 14 September to secure a space at the Belconnen Twilight Markets.

More information can be found at the Facebook page: Belconnen Twilight Market

You can also find out more at the Belconnen Community Council meeting on 18 September at 7pm in the Community Room, upstairs at the Belconnen Library.

 

Belco twilight market corflute

September 18, 2018 in Community, News and Events

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: [email protected]

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.

May 14, 2018 in Community, General, Government, Meetings, News and Events, Notices, Planning

KFC DA next to Belco Skate Park rejected by ACT Government planners

The BCC rarely oppose Development Applications. Hundreds are approved every year and people get on with making Belconnen a better place to live and do business. Occasionally a proposal lacks merit and is inappropriate, or has issues that could be resolved with consultation.

Late last year DA201630298 was lodged to build a drive through takeaway restaurant on Emu Bank, next to the Belco Skate Park.

It was an inappropriate proposal for this site and inconsistent with the direction of Emu Bank, that became clear through the extensive community consultation process for the Belconnen Town Centre Master Plan.

The BCC, and many residents in Belconnen, made submissions to Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development about the DA. Our submission can be found here.  On August 3 2017 the BCC were advised that DA201630298 has been refused.

The DA was refused on three grounds:

  • The DA didn’t satisfy lease purposes allowed for that site
  • The DA was inconsistent with the Precinct Code
  • The DA was inconsistent with the Master Plan objectives.

This site should never have been sold, and other DA’s for the site have failed in the past. The BCC recommend the ACT Government resume this land and expand the Belco Skate Park, or simply grass it and let people enjoy the lake

It’s always refreshing when people see the planning system work well.

 

August 4, 2017 in Community, News, Planning

Belconnen Community Council July 18 public meeting

The BCC Public Meeting for July 2017 is on this Tuesday July 18 at 7.00PM at the Community Room above the Belconnen Library, Chandler St, Belconnen Town Centre.

The meeting will commence at 7PM

After welcoming members and guests, the Chair will present a short report on the previous months activities of the BCC.

Following this, there will be two presentations:

– Suzzane Orr MLA for Yerrabi will speak about Belconnen issues in the Yerrabi electorate (Kaleen, Giralang, Lawson, Mackellar and Evatt).

– Mr. Brett Phillips – Executive Director of Planning Delivery EPSD, will discuss the draft pre-DA Community Consultation Guidelines released by Chief ACT Planner Ben Ponton earlier this month.

The ACT Government is committed to improving the way government engages with the community on planning issues in the ACT. For planning to be successful in the future requires an ongoing partnership between government, industry and the community. The pre-DA guidelines are the first step in bringing together these groups to achieve better outcomes in the planning sector.

More information on the pre-DA Consultation process can be found at the ACT Governments Your Say website here.

Feedback on the draft pre-DA guidelines closes in Mid August.

All members of the public are welcome!

July 13, 2017 in Community, Meetings, News and Events, Notices

University of Canberra design students ideas about improving Belconnen – prize to be awarded at August BCC Public Meeting

Earlier in 2017, the Belconnen Community Council as part of its Belco50 program, created a competition in conjunction with the University of Canberra’s School of Design with the intention of generating ideas that could be used to benefit Belconnen.

The winner of the competition will be announced at theAugust BCC Public meeting by BCC Chair Elizabeth Hirst.

UC is a vital part of Belconnen and is seeking to improve its engagement with the broader community outside its campus. The BCC felt this was a good opportunity to assist students, strengthen UC ties with the community, and tap their students energy and enthusiasm for improving the built environment.

The BCC Committee decided to award a prize to a team of students enrolled in the Faculty of Arts and Design in a User-Centred Design course. This prize would be for a team that identified a problem through interaction and observation in Belconnen, articulated a design opportunity and prepared a brief outlining a solution that is pertinent to the Belconnen community.

The students were extremely keen to get out and explore Belconnen, with many being new to Canberra and Australia. Working in teams they came up with quite different solutions. In May the students presented their ideas to the BCC Committee and Dr Stephen Trathern of UC’s Faculty of Arts and Design.

As well as being used in their grading, and providing useful field research, the teams that place first and second will be awarded a cash prize, from the Belco50 funds provided by the ACT Government to celebrate Belconnens 50th Birthday.

We encourage the Belconnen public to attend our public meeting in August, view the different ideas, and applaud the teams that win the two prizes being awarded. They range from: improving Emu Bank, a tuk-tuk service, an improved bus interchange, and a Farmers market (there are more ideas!).

All the ideas the BCC Committee have examined are good, and each team has satisfied the brief. It will be very difficult to come up with a winner!

June 1, 2017 in Arts, Community, Culture, Meetings, News and Events

Public meeting on June 13 to discuss Section 200 Development Application

Are you interested in the development occurring on Section 200 by Geocon? It is being marketed to the public ahead of DA approval as ‘Republic of Belconnen‘. The development of this very large block of land in the Belconnen Town centre is one of the biggest developments in Belconnen in recent years.

Initial concept drawings of the proposed development were first presented to the Belconnen community in June 2016. The official launch of the Republic of Belconnen development occurred in December 2016. Concept drawings and imagery associated with the development have been available since then.

In April the developer lodged a Development Application. The BCC and others, requested that the period to respond to the DA be extended, as the scale of the development was so large, and the associated documentation was also voluminous. The ACT Government have extended the period in which submissions can be made by three weeks, until 21 June.

Special meeting 13 June 2017

The BCC will be holding a special meeting on 13 June 2017 at 7PM at the Community Room above the Belconnen Library.

All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Geocon will be sending representatives, including architects, to answer questions from the public, a week ahead of the DA period closing for submissions.

Why is this meeting being held?

The BCC are supportive of this development, and support the mix of retail and residential proposed by Geocon. This DA is for two buildings of 17 and 22 storeys, fronting Emu Bank and Eastern Valley Way.

The purpose of community consultation is to present ideas and proposals for public, government and community scrutiny. This brings about better outcomes for all.

In addition to the short timeframe for submissions to be made on such a significant development in the Belconnen Town Centre, the BCC have concerns over the level of community consultation that has occurred to date.

There are also significant community concerns about the lack of parking for Belconnen Labor Club patrons in the new development (this parking was a condition of sale).

Does the Section 200 DA affect you? 

Do you have any questions or concerns about the proposed development?

You can contact the BCC at [email protected] or attend the public meeting and ask Geocon directly.

Information about the Section 200 Development

The information at the ACT Governments Development Application page is:

Development Application: 201731563

Address: EMU BANK, EASTERN VALLEYWAY & CAMERON AVENUE

Block: 2 Section: 200

Proposal: PROPOSAL FOR A SEVENTEEN AND A TWENTY TWO STOREY MIXED USE
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT + Demolition of the existing
structures, removal of trees, construction of mixed use development
comprising of 6 commercial tenancies, 414 dwellings, basement car
parking, signage and associated works.

Period for representations closes: 21/06/2017

May 31, 2017 in Community, Meetings, News and Events, Notices, Planning

Water Police Building Open Day 26 Feb 2017 – 1 to 5 PM

water police open day 26 feb

This is your last chance to see this building before demolition! The ACT Government through the Land Development Agency have agreed to let the Belconnen Community Council and the Belco50 committee host an open day prior to demolition.

There will be a sausage sizzle provided by the Lake Ginninderra Sea Scouts and face painting and a jumping castle to keep the kids amused. The Sea Scouts are also holding a regatta beforehand, and there is a jetty – so why not arrive by canoe!
Guided access to the building will be provided, including the upper level. Unfortunately, there is no disabled access to the upper level.

The AFP Museum has provided some historical documents related to the building that will also be on display.

This is it folks, in the days after this event the building will be prepared for demolition, ahead of the sale of the site.

February 15, 2017 in Community, Meetings, News and Events, Notices, Relax

Belconnen Community Council submission for the 2017-18 ACT Budget

In December 2016 the BCC provided  a  comprehensive submission to  the  ACT  Government  covering  short  and long-­‐term  budget  items  it  has  identified  that  can  best serve  Belconnen  residents,  workers  and  visitors.  
 
The  BCC  submission  has  a  distinct  concentration  on the capital  infrastructure  priorities  the  Government  should consider  implementing  in  the  next  four  years.  
 
While  the  BCC  submission  should be viewed  through  a Belconnen community  lens, a  number  of  our  suggestions apply across  the ACT.    
 
As  the  Belconnen  area  straddles the electorates of Ginninderra  and  Yerrabi,  the  items suggested  by  the  BCC  are  of  benefit  to  residents  of  both electorates,  and  those  who  visit  for  work,  education  or recreation.

These items represent the focus of our lobbying activities for 2017/18.

The full BCC Budget Submission can be read at this link. 

BCC  2017/18  BUDGET  SUBMISSION  HIGHLIGHTS  

  • Enhancing  community  consultation  with  representative  reference  groups
  • Updating  the  Belconnen  Town  Centre  Precinct  Code
  • Improving  parking  payment  at  Calvary  Hospital
  • Mobile  Coffee  carts  around  Lake  Ginninderra
  • Enhancing  public  transport  linkages  from  West  Belconnen  to  prepare  for  growth
  • Increasing  bus  services  to  reflect  current  and  future  need
  • Park  &  Ride improvements
  • Light  Rail  engineering  study  from Civic to Belconnen
  • Improving  bus  stops  on  arterial  roads
  • Construction  of  a  multi-­‐level  car-­‐park  in  the  Belconnen  Town  Centre.
  • Smart  parking  technology  in  the  Belconnen  Town  Centre
  • Completing  the  Belconnen  Arts  Centre
  • Temporary  use  of  the  Remand  Centre  site  on  Lathlain  Street
  • Increasing  amenity  in  Margaret  Timpson  Park  and  around  Lake  Ginninderra
  • Constructing a Margaret  Timpson  Park public  toilet  facility
  • Beautification  of  Benjamin  Way
  • Dog  waste  bag  dispenser  at  Lake Ginninderra
  • William  Slim  Drive  duplication
  • Upgrade Kuringa  Drive  intersections  in  West  Belconnen
  • New  cycleway  linking  Lawson  to  the  Town  Centre
December 12, 2016 in Community, Government, News, Notices, Reports