I support the proposed high-density accommodation towers because:

1. they will reduce demand for increased density in surrounding suburbs; and
2. I support this if it can deliver housing in the $100k to $200k range.

20 and 35 story buildings in Woden are flatly against Walter Burley Griffin plan for Canberra, and will be out of character with the surrounds and valley buildings. There are no plans to ensure that Developers will sell housing in these towers at anything less than going market rates so they do little to help keep median house prices down. Why do we let Planners and Developers constantly try to make Canberra in to a little clone of Big Cities? Just because it is "OK" in Sydney or Melbourne, does not make it "OK" for Canberra. We have a world heritage city here and developments like the Woden Towers once committed will alter any beauty for the worse and for a very very long time. The precedent once set will be hard to beat. Are our elected Officials our Masters or our servants?

I support the proposed towers providing they are architectually striking with great street appeal. They:

1. Will help with the accommodation shortage in canberra;

2. Relieve pressure on infilling the surrounding Woden Suburbs;

3. Increase the appeal of the Woden Plaza through new tenants;

4. Create more of a city feel which the younger generation are asking for.


The concept should not raise concerns as Woden already has Canberra's highest tower. These towers will actually enhance and add balance to the Woden landscape.

walter burley griffin's plan for canberra is irrelevant in Woden, it being a satellite town gazetted in the 1960s and not in the original 1911 plan whatsoever. In this regard 20 and 35 storey buildings are permissible as the town centre was always designed to be high rise. Speaking of which, opposing tall buildings (and 35 storeys is not tall) is pointless as there are already three tall buildings in the district.

The objective behind such proposals is not to "make canberra a clone of big cities". Most of Canberra was unfortunately developed during a period when private transport was thought to be the way of the future, before its inherent problems became obvious. The recent efforts to increase urban density in core areas is an attempt at rectifying this planning folly, by making compact and walkable urban places, easily navigable by foot or by bike, and connected with other centres by public transport. And yes, because it is "OK" for Sydney, is precisely why it is "OK" for canberra.

Canberra is not a world heritage city. Very little of it is historically significant. Those parts which are significant, are mainly found in the Parliamentary Triangle and are indeed heritage listed. No parts of Woden Town are heritage. And woden as it is now is certainly not beautiful.

Having ranted that, there is one part of your argument (and all similar arguments) that is valid - apartment housing is seldom affordable and sociable at the same time. One only has to study the apartments on Ballumbir Street to see what often happens to cheap high-rise housing communities.

However somewhat high density is possible without high rise, in the form of terraced housing, and the narrow Edwardian homes seen around Newtown, NSW. Since each house faces the street, these neighborhoods tend to encourage better social interaction and are usually more affordable than inner city apartments.