A lot of discussion has been generated in recent months about the Canberra International Airport ‘s (CIA) objections to the proposed Tralee development. The recent release of the CIA Preliminary Draft Master Plan indicates however that there is a lot more to digest and discuss than this proposed residential development.[teaserbreak]
Before listing some of these other issues however, it might be appropriate to remember that the CIA is a private business in the same way that the developers of residential or commercial estates are private businesses. In a competitive business environment smokescreens and diversionary tactics might be employed in an attempt to gain some commercial advantage. This is nothing new or surprising. As members of the community we must however be discerning and even-handed with the information presented.
The WVCC encourages the Canberra community to consider reports and expert analysis from all sides; to examine all the details and implications of proposed residential developments; to examine the CIA’s proposal to establish a 24 hour air freight hub at Canberra airport – hoping, I understand, to attract much of the 34,500 freight flights pa currently based in Sydney; to examine the details and implications for Canberra’s Town Centres of the CIA’s proposal to increase Brindabella Park at CIA from 60,000 to 120,000 square meters.
The latest Office Market Report (OMR) indicates an 10.6% vacancy rate in A-grade office stock in one of our Town Centres. With the proposed development in Civic of up to 100,000 sq m of new A-grade office space in coming years, the overall vacancy rate in our Town Centres can be expected to increase. More than 20% of D-grade space is, according to the OMR, vacant in our Town Centres.
WVCC’s AGM Wednesday 1 Sept 2004, 7.30pm in the Orpheus Room upstairs at the Hellenic Club Woden will provide an opportunity for presentations from various stakeholders and discussion and questions from the public on these matters. We hope many of you will be able to attend.