WODEN VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL INC

MEETING

WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2004

HELLENIC CLUB    PHILLIP

Committee members present:
David Menzel, (Chair), Mike Reddy, John Kain, Bill O¹Brien, Barry Raison,
Adrian Roberts and Dolores Holmes.

Item 1    Chair David Menzel welcomed those present and recently elected and
re-elected MLAs Deb Foskey and Jacqui Burke and Chris Redmond from the Woden
Valley Community Services.

Item 2    The Chair advised that he and Bill O¹Brien had met with Neil
Savery, Chief Planning Executive and Vic Smorhun of the ACT Planning and
Land Authority on 8 November.  The meeting was held to discuss a proposal
from ACTPLA to ensure that all significant development applications were
channelled to councils and to guarantee surety of consultation on major
development issues.  ACT Planning was also offering funding of $4,500 per
annum to Councils to assist with Council consultation on planning
activities.  Mr Menzel said the WVCC would consider the offer of funding to
paying for a part time employee to be shared with Woden Community Services.
Mr Menzel on behalf of the ACT Community Councils Forum had subsequently
agreed to the ACTPLA offer in writing as a pilot arrangement to be reviewed
over the next 12 months.

Mr Menzel noted the comprehensive article in the Canberra Times on the Woden
East project and the positive coverage of the WVCC involvement in planning
proposals. 

Item 5    Eddison Park pond
Adrian Roberts said that representatives from the WVCC and the Woden RSL had
attended a meeting at the Eddison Park pond addressed by David Moyle from
Canberra Urban Parks and Places.  Mr Moyle had told the meeting that the
Eddison Park pond was filled by using potable water but that this was now
against the law under current water restrictions.  The location of the pond
meant that the pond had a limited natural catchment area.  The pond was not
deep which caused high rates of evaporation.  CUPPS were looking at reducing
the area of the pond to the concreted areas, approximately one third of the
current area with the remaining area to be landscaped.  The pond was also at
a higher elevation than surrounding drains which posed engineering problems
in diverting overflow water from the drains to the pond.  He advised that
ground water in the valley was being tapped by both government private users
and that this water was being used at higher than replenishment rates.  It
was therefore unlikely that ground water would be a source for topping up
the pond. 

It was noted that the proposed Woden East extension incorporated plans for
two pondage areas which were to be supplemented by overflow from the storm
water drains.  Jackie Burke said that she would approach the departmental
liaison officers to ascertain the views of government if this was the wish
of the WVCC.  David Menzel proposed that the WVCC approach the responsible
ministers Stanhope and Hardgrave and shadow ministers Pratt and Dunne and
the members representing the Molonglo electorate to discuss the issues
relating to the lack of a water feature in the Woden Valley.  He noted that
CUPPS funding had been reduced and that there was the need for the political
will to support retention of the Eddison Pond as a significant water
feature.  Dolores Holmes said that the lack of a water feature in the Woden
Valley should receive more media coverage to support the WVCC case.

Woden East Planning Study

Adrian Roberts said that he had attended the Woden East meeting with Warwick
Pearson and advised that the final size of the development has yet to be
determined but it is likely that the site will accommodate somewhere between
470/500 dwellings.  Some or all of the land will be sold for development in
financial year 2005/2206 with actual development starting as soon as
practicable after that.  It has not yet been determined whether the land
will be sold in parcels to separate developers or in one lot to one
developer.

The design will be compatible with existing housing with a height
restriction of three floors for the development.  The design on display at
the presentation showed a central pedestrian/cycle spine leading from the
existing development to the Woden Town Centre. There will be an additional
pedestrian bridge across Yarralumla Creek (making two in total). Wilbow
Street will be extended from the WTC into Woden East to allow vehicular and
pedestrian traffic access from the WTC to the new development. It is
expected that around 30% of workers in Woden East will walk to work in the
WTC.  Easty Street will also be extended into the development.
 
The existing tree stock has been surveyed.  Those trees considered worth
saving will be integrated into Woden East.  Most of the tree cover is pretty
scrubby and will be replaced by a mixture of native and exotic species.
There will be two water ponds included in the development which may assist
in any water treatment plans and in the control of stormwater run off.  The
ponds had not been approved by Environment ACT and this approval was not
guaranteed.  The meeting agreed to write to SMEC, the developers of the
project, commenting on the proposed parking, roads and integration with the
Woden Town Centre and pedestrian access to shops.

Yarralumla Creek will be reshaped for a short distance - from Hindmarsh
Drive north to around the new vehicular bridge carrying the Wilbow Street
extension.  The steep concrete sides of the Creek will be removed and
replaced by revegetated and wider banks. The middle of the Creek will
continue to be a concrete lined spoon drain.  Complete restoration of the
Creek is not currently on the development horizon.  Housing at Woden East
will be located just above the 100 year flood line.

Item 6    Urban Services response to WVCC submission on the maintenance of
public areas and structures in Woden.

A comprehensive response had been received from CUPPs responding to the WVCC
submission on maintenance of public areas and structures in the Woden
Valley.  Mr Menzel noted that CUPPs had taken action promptly on some areas
of concern but that there were still outstanding issues relating to
maintenance which would need regular follow-up with CUPPs.

Mike Reddy advised that 450 responses had been received by the ACT
Government from households with trees affected by the January 2002 fires.
900 trees were to be planted, 530 natives and 370 deciduous.

Item 7    Mr Menzel noted the ongoing problem of a lack of a
Community/Arts/Cultural Centre in the Woden Valley.  It was essential for
the WVCC to have a dedicated meeting space and not be dependent on the
charity of licensed clubs in the Valley to provide a room for meetings.  The
ACT Government was using the WVCC as an official vehicle for ascertaining
Woden Resident¹s views on a wide range of matters.  It was difficult for the
Council to discharge its responsibilities without dedicated premises.  It
was agreed that a community centre should be included in the revamped Woden
Town centre and bus stop interchange.  A formal proposal should be put to
government asking what they proposed to provide for a
Community/Arts/cultural Centre for Woden.  Chris Redmond said that Woden
Community Services had outgrown its current space and that they also needed
to expand their range of services.  He said a Community Centre needed to be
centrally located in the Woden Town Centre precinct.  Mr Menzel said that
the WVCC would need to liaise with other community organisations to
determine what their requirements were.  The master plan for Woden includes
space for community services.  Mr Menzel said that a strategy needs to be
developed and that a list of other stakeholders was needed.  The meeting
agreed that a plan to secure a Town Centre be drawn up for the February 2005
WVCC meeting in conjunction with Woden Community Services.

John Kain said that a quote had been received for a WVCC web site which met
WVCC requirements.  Paul Hogie would be asked to verify that the quote was
reasonable. It was agreed that the council would not approve proceeding with
the quote at this stage as there would be insufficient funds for other
council activities unless additional government funding was received.

Item 9    The next meeting of the Council would be held on Wednesday 2
February 2004 at the Hellenic Club subject to their agreement.