WODEN VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL INC.

Public attendance: Approximately 11 members of the community present including MLAs Garry Humphries, Greg Cornwall, consultant Rob Purdon and Jonathon Reynolds (Gungahlin Community Council).

Minutes of 20 February 2002 Meeting

Matters Arising

JESC/AAT: - Government has now formally dropped JESC and associated legal action
Chronicle ‘ Council Matters’: No WVCC column printed as yet
PACTT Constitution: Not yet finalised
3D Model WTC: No progress to report
WVCC Submission to PALM on WTC Master Plan: In drafting stage
WVCC funding: Mike yet to finalise
WVCC web page: Awaiting Mike’s return from leave.

Correspondence and Meetings

David and Rob Purdon reported on the Planning Minister’s Workshop at Albert Hall on 27 February 2002 and attended by David and John. Its purpose was to ensure that the community is involved in the process of establishing the Government’s new Neighbourhood Planning Program. PALM invited representatives from a broad range of organisations including LAPAC convenors, resident associations, community councils, business and professional institutes and religious organisations. It was intended to help the Government establish expectations for the new Neighbourhood Planning regime.

Meeting re Scarborough House with Stephen Sercombe and Colin Overy:
Meeting with Rob Purdon re Development Applications for blocks 57, 61 and 60 at WTC:

Proposed new Woden Police Station

There was general discussion on alternative possible locations for this facility including:-

Callam St carpark
Near Workers Club
Corner Hindmarsh and Melrose
Corner Melrose and Corinna in the Melrose Public Car Park
Athllon Drive

Garry Humphries observed the advantages of having a combined HQ facility especially in terms of better morale and the fostering of co-operation on matters of common services. Greg Cornwall felt it would be a mistake to locate the Station away from the main WTC precinct as high visibility was important; he did not support the Hindmarsh/Melrose option.

In general discussion the meeting agreed that it was important the police station be easily accessible by car, on foot and by public transport, but there was concern that some options might deprive WTC of valuable car parking space. It was put that one option would be to have a Civic type police shopfront facility within WTC and a Woden Valley police station located away from WTC. It was recognised that providing adequate security for the Phillip Trades area was a major policing issue for Woden. David emphasised that the Government was keen to get community input into the siting decision.

Bowes Place Development Application (Blocks 57, 61 and 60)

Rob Purdon addressed the meeting representing the proponents of the proposed development and tabled with the WVCC a set of detailed DA documentation as submitted to the Government. Involves a $25 million, 12 000 square metre, 6 storey office building facing the walkway, designed in sympathy with the style of adjoining 1970s era buildings .

Retention of east-west bike path / pedestrian links as condition of lease; links to be maintained by the building owner
Park south of Juliana House to be retained in public ownership and upgraded
Will result in 600 new office spaces coming on stream and additional traffic
Some improvement to pedestrian movement
Block 57, currently a privately owned park/garden area used by lunchtime workers, will be lost
Café to be incorporated on ground floor
12 month construction time
Does not involve any changes to Territory Plan
Will help generate additional employment in WTC and offset a possible loss of Commonwealth jobs away from WTC.

Scarborough House redevelopment

David noted that the PALM consultants were overdue in submitting their reports on the public consultation processes. In addition, a second PALM newsletter on the WTC review is due out soon and PALM had accepted WVCC input to the newsletter along with that from the Phillip Traders Association.

Other Business

David to attend the next Community Council Forum at Nara House on 25 March at which the public liability insurance issue is to be discussed. John had prepared a WVCC submission to the ACT LA Standing Committee on Community Services in the context of its pre-Budget consultations.

MINUTES

Committee members present

Committee member apologies

Other apologies