WODEN VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL INC
Committee Meeting
Wednesday 7 July 2004
Venues: Residence of Warwick Pearson (first portion)
&
Hellenic Club, Phillip (second portion)
Present: David Menzel, Warwick Pearson, Mike Reddy, Barry Raison, Dolores Holmes, Bill O¹Brien, John Kain
Apologies: John Pola, Jenny St George
1. WTC Master Plan
Chair, David Menzel welcome all to meeting including guest for first portion, Karin McDonald MLA who was invited to discuss with aspects of the WTC Master Plan.
Karin advised in relation to Football Park:-
- Government¹s proposed purchase will go through
- maintenance budget of $80k pa provided for
- Football Pk remains the long run option for AFL in ACT in view of its better capacity than Manuka, central location, proximity to Molonglo Valley
- Government ownership option seen as best way of ensuring facility is retained as an AFL standard oval
Discussion then moved to aspects of Master Plan:-
- Dolores emphasising pressing need for a Woden community (arts/cultural) centre
- Karin indicated she would look into this and talk with us more on the issue
Then moved on to quick consideration of bio-waste disposal trial in Chifley; was being supported by community promotion campaigns such as open days at waste recycling center. Karin thanked.
Meeting adjourned to Hellenic Club
Extras present: John Pola, Jacqui Burke MLA, Ron Forrester (ACT Assembly Liberal candidate)
Minutes of April Committee meeting accepted. Mike / Bill.
2. Government Review of Provision of Land for Aged Care
- David had sent letter to Minster Corbell supporting review and offering WVCC assistance in identifying sites including possible public meeting
WVCC invitation to Development Assessment Corporation meeting addressing new model for Development Applications being prepared by Uni of Canberra Centre for Developing Cities; Mike to follow up.
3. New ACT Govt Consultation Measures on Land Use Planning
David addressed Minister Corbell¹s proposals noting that while there are some possible positives for Councils there are also significant resource implications. PACTT is developing a bargaining position on issue, identifying conditions under which proposals might be accepted. Proposed Planning and Development Forum will be similar to earlier forum but in addition to David and Anne Forrester, Chairs of the other CC¹s will participate including new Canberra Central CC.
Our discussion noted:-
… Danger of CC¹s becoming focused primarily on planning issues
… Imposes a responsibility on us to the Government word Œresponsibility¹ is a concern
… Could amount to us signing a Œblank cheque¹ of providing support services to government potential huge task
… We need to be resourced to undertake the role, including an appropriate venue
… Potential for expanded role of CCs overlapping with residents¹ groups
… We need to keep control of our agenda
… Ms Burke warned us not to be misled by the increased status proposed for us by government; need to be wary of risk of government abrogating its responsibility to community by passing the buck to us; are man unknowns in the proposal don¹t want the CC¹s taking on a role properly that of government
… David noted in the Belconnen context, its CC had worked effectively alongside the local LAPAC with the LAPACS concentrating on planning may be one option would be a sub-unit of each CC doing the planning role
… Ewe need to meet with other CCs on this 5 of the 7 CCs are active in PACTT; we¹re approaching the other 2
… Will always be planning issues of interest to us issues that we should not get bogged down by them and lose sight of other issues; dilemma is extent to which we should be involved in planning
… CC reps should be paid to participate in the P&D Forum; noted membership will comprise 3 industry reps, 3 professional, 1 conservation body and 7 CCs all the reps would be paid by someone to participate.
David noted that Mr Cobell not expecting CC response at this stage.
4. St Andrews Village Aged Care Hostel Proposal: Hughes
Adrian reported on meeting of residents convened by Land Development Authority which he attended observing:-
… SAV extension would be built on ŒOpen Space¹ land, requiring variation to Territory Plan
… Issues: Loss of open space, lighting of adjoining oval impact, aesthetics, road access, impact on adjoining tennis center. Liberal candidate David Kibbey raised issue of whether process would be open to others to bid for land LDA advised no, it would be a grant direct to SAV
… Meeting harmonious; Kibbey comments the only ones with any negative tones. Greg Cornwall MLA stood up in support of proposal.
Our subsequent discussion noted:-
… In view of shortage of aged care units in AC, we shouldn¹t object
… But issue of principle involved as to whether aged care facilities should be built on open space land rather than on designated community purpose land stocks of open space land are limited; once gone, unlikely to ever return as open space
… Also an issue of whether SAV is being granted the land at no charge; David undertook to clarify this with government.
5. Abbeyfield Youth Accommodation in Curtin Proposal Meeting at Curtin
Adrian reported on meeting h attended noting:-
… Over 70 people there; lot o local community concern about impact of proposal including issues such as parking, noise, whether residents able to self-care, rubbish bins
… Case for is that it meets a community need especially for aged parent of the mildly disabled
… Difficulty with meeting was that attempts by those opposing the proposal to speak were suppressed.
WVCC Spending: Remainder of 2003-04
Dai noted that Government is providing us with a computer and printer / scanner and we¹re following up an offer for a photocopier from CREDA. We agreed to proceed with purchase of a fax machine, color copier and a laptop computer Moved: Bill, Seconded: Mike.
Deed of Grant: - ACT/CCs
David alerted committee to review Deed document individual copies available from our PO Box.
The meeting closed at 2230.