Unfortunately, we can’t hold our planned face-to-face public meeting on 5 August, due to the delay in moving to (ACT) stage 3 restrictions, which has prevented full re-opening of many ACT clubs. We will be holding-over presentations by Jon Stanhope, ACT Arts and Zapari until October.
In the meantime, Zapari has advised that they will be holding private presentations on their development on the corner of Brewer and Corinna Streets at their rooms in Canberra City. If you would like to book a presentation, phone 0400 281 655.
And please note for your diary: a special ‘virtual’ pre-DA presentation by Doma group at 7pm on 5 August
Doma Group will be hosting a special Teams-based presentation for WVCC members on 5 August on Doma’s plans for four new buildings to go on block 2 section 180 (the surface-level carpark between Furzer street and Melrose Drive.)
WVCC candidates’ forum 2 September
Please watch out for news of our big election-related event, our candidates’ forum on 2 September. We are very hopeful that this will be face-to-face. If not, we will try to organise a live-streaming event.
President’s news
Jenny Stewart took part in the following meetings
- A briefing on the re-location of Canberra Institute of Technology on 10 July
- Combined Community Councils meeting (25 July)
- SPIRE (Canberra hospital redevelopment) on 29 July
Canberra Institute of Technology
The presentation on CIT related to the design of the building, based in part on feedback from the community. Unfortunately, the choice of site (on the southern and eastern sides of Grand Central Towers) was not open for discussion.
While WVCC welcomes the move to Woden, we believe there are much better sites available for this important facility.
Combined Community Councils
Marea Fatseas on behalf of the Inner South Canberra Community Council hosted a most productive meeting on 25 July. Presidents discussed strategy for the Environment and Planning Forum which will be featuring consultation for a review of the planning legislation.
We also shared news of our planned candidates’ forums.
SPIRE
The SPIRE meeting gave members information re next-stage contracts for the site, plans for the staff carpark on the old Woden TAFE site, and a tour of the Surge hospital on Garran oval. Jen Berget from Garran Residents Group made some excellent points re the need to distribute news more widely from the Reference Group, and to share minutes from the Consumer Reference Group to the Community Reference Group.
Media
Jenny was interviewed for the ABC News & WIN News on 29 July, and for ABC radio that afternoon. She expressed WVCC’s view that the new CIT needed much more thought re the site and reiterated the (often-expressed!) view that Woden Town Centre needed much better overall planning. She also mentioned the need for better recreational facilities (eg a new aquatic centre) and the prospects for a health precinct between the Hospital and the Town Centre.