secretary 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! 🌍✨

Josh Dawes Community, Planning, Uncategorized

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE ACT

The Natural Resource Management team want to hear from the ACT community, to create a shared vision for ways in which they manage the ACT’s Natural Resources.

Your views will be used to guide the development of the ACT Natural Resource Management Plan 2020-2040. Let them know your thoughts by completing the online survey or visiting them at one of the drop-in sessions.

To find out more about the project and get involved head to:
yoursay.act.gov.au/NRM-plan

Glen Hyde Community, News and Events, Notices, Planning

Letter to residents regarding Kippax works

The ACT Government have updated local residents about works to be undertaken in and around Kippax. This work relates to the process being undertaken to assess site suitability for the tender process EOI announced on 27 March 2021.

You can read the flier here:

http://belconnen.org.au/documents/letter-to-residents-regarding-kippax-works/

If you have feedback on the process we are happy to pass it on to EPSDD or you can provide it directly here:

https://www.yoursay.act.gov.au/kippax-groupcentre-master-plan-2

Josh Dawes Community, Planning

Kippax Fair Extension – Update

The Belconnen Community Council (BCC) has been committed to the Kippax Group Centre redevelopment since early 2014 when the changes to the master plan were first proposed.

Over the subsequent five years, the BCC has facilitated numerous community meetings to provide opportunities for people to hear about the proposed changes to the plan and to voice their support or concerns. The BCC also participated in the community panel that was established to seek community feelings and expectations in relation to the redevelopment.

The BCC has supported the idea of a redevelopment of the Kippax Group Centre from the beginning however, not at the cost of the existing green space.

While there is more work to be done and another round of consultation with our community to be undertaken, the BCC believe there is a genuine commitment to meet community expectations and the wishes of the owners of the Kippax Group Centre.

The BCC looks forward to continuing to work with our community to find a design that best meets the interests of those who live, work and play in West Belconnen.

For more information, please click on the link below

Click Here to view the PDF

Josh Dawes 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.

Josh Dawes 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.

Josh Dawes Community, Meetings, News, News and Events, Notices, Planning

June 2019 BCC Public Meeting

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.

Josh Dawes 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