Minutes

Present:

David Menzel (Chair), Mike Reddy, Dolores Holmes, Barry Raison, John Kain, Warwick Pearson

Apologies:

Anne Walls

Minutes of Executive Meetings, 19 February and 12 March 2003:

Held over pending completion.

Correspondence:

IN: WVCC invites to public launch of WTC Draft Master Plan by Planning Minister, Simon Corbell at Woden Bus Interchange on 10 April; AAT Decision re Blocks 57 and 61; Photo competition. OUT: WVCC Press Release re WTC Master Plan announcing WVCC Public Meeting to assist the Council reflect community’s response to the draft Plan and noting various issues still needing to be taken on board for community consideration such as building height limits and setbacks in certain areas, WTC open space issues, the sale of public assets in WTC and the Review of Community Facilities in WTC; ABC local radio interview, Rod Quinn / David Menzel re release of draft plan.

Business Arising:

WVCC Web Page – John offered to follow up with George Bray to progress this matter further.

Photo competition - Mike reported that the competition logistics were going well and that Woden Library and Mike had agreed on a date for the exhibition – between 1 and 8 August 2003 and Judy McConchie had agreed to be the judge. The competition and exhibition was directed at pictorial art (drawings, paintings, etc.) and photographic works depicting people of and / or places in, the Woden Valley. The aim was to raise the profile of WVCC. It was agreed that further private sponsors should be sought but that WVCC could also contribute to the prize money from its own funds. A range of prizes from $500 to $250 and $100 was discussed but the matter was not settled as there was a need to approach more potential sponsors. Andrew Young of Woden Physiotherapy has always provided a $100 donation. Katy Gallagher has been invited to open the exhibition. David and Dolores applauded Mike for his efforts in organising the competition and exhibition.

WVCC to be Woden’s “Community Planning Forum”:

David observed that under new ACT Planning arrangements to take effect from 1 July 2003, WVCC was to effectively become Woden’s “Community Planning Forum” although the formal Planning Forums were only being established in the areas served by LAPACs up until now. Unlike the LAPACs, David observed that the Forums would not have the detailed oversight role but instead would offer strategic advice. Government advice on the CPFs has yet to be received and there are many questions about them yet to be answered including how Neighbourhood Planning fitted in with CPFs. David noted an overlap between the Burley-Griffin LAPAC and WVCC as the LAPAC included areas of the Woden Valley.

Spatial Plan Community Forum :

David noted the forthcoming Spatial Plan Community Forum scheduled for 7 and 8 May 2003 and encouraged WVCC executive committee members to participate. David reported on a recent talk by US urban planner, Steve Ames of Portland, Oregon – Ames had spoken of the importance of community involvement in identifying the aspirations, guiding principles and core values of the planning process, for example, access to nature, the importance of transport choice, safe neighbourhoods and a vibrant culture. The Portland experience had something in common with Labor's’announced planning approach for Canberra - eg concentrating higher density development around major public transport nodes and group/town centres.

Spatial Plan – Public Transport Futures Meeting:

John reported on the most recent Public Transport Futures Meeting which he had attended at the PALM offices in the first week in April. He said that the PALM consultants, KBR Consultants, were now well advanced in identifying the detailed routes to be considered in their financial assessments of a potential corridor public transport system for Canberra. While much of the discussion was on light rail, the study leaves open the possibility of other transport technologies being adopted. The two most promising routes from initial assessments were Civic – Woden TC via Russell and Barton/Parkes and Civic – Belconnen TC via Canberra Stadium. Other corridors under study were the ‘Manuka Loop’ as announced by Minister Corbell, Civic - Weston via Stromlo, Civic – Gungahlin Town Centre and extension routes Woden TC – Tuggeranong TC, Manuka – Fyshwick, Belconnen TC – Dunlop, and Tuggeranong TC – Lanyon Marketplace.

Key factors in their cost-benefit analysis were emissions savings, reduced road congestion costs, increased property values, savings in car parking infrastructure and reduced road construction costs.

WTC Draft Master Plan:

David reminded the executive of the Public Meeting in Orpheus Room, 4 May 2003 to discuss the Plan. It was also agreed that the executive and outside invited experts should get together for a series of lunchtime meetings on 1, 15 and 29 May to undertake a detailed review of the draft to assist in preparing a WVCC response. Mike agreed to follow up possible venues.

To raise community awareness of the draft, media opportunities such as David’s forthcoming interview with Louise Maher of ABC were important; he was also addressing other publicity opportunites eg Arawang Probus Club.

NDH Proposal – whereto from here:

In the light of the recent AAT decision in support of the developer, NDH, it was agreed buy a majority of the committee that David should follow up an offer from ACT Chief Minister’s and Cabinet Office for the matter to be brought to Cabinet’s attention including the possibility of a land swap subject to NDH being supportive of such an approach. Those not supportive of this approach felt that we should accept the AAT decision as final and ‘move on’. Others felt that in view of the huge effort which had already gone into the exercise, and the fact that we could not have taken up Cabinet Office’s offer while the AAT case was being heard, it was now appropriate to take up this last opportunity.

Woden Focus Group:

The committee reaffirmed its earlier decision not to take up an offer of membership of the Focus Group as WVCC’s independent decision making capacity would be compromised; Warwick would continue to be a WVCC observer at Focus Group meetings.

Next executive committee meeting , 7 May 2003, Orpheus Room. (Canberra Investment Corp to brief us re development on Southern Cross Club’s former land.)