The Canberra Spatial Planapps.actpla.act.gov.au/plandev/sp-pdf/spatialplan.pdf · Civic – The...

T H E C A N B E R R A S P A T I A L P L A N

S O C I A L l S P A T I A L l E C O N O M I C

The Canberra Spatial Plan provides clear strategic directions for the development ofCanberra over the next 30 years and beyond. It is the Territory’s key strategicplanning document for directing and managing urban growth and change.

Key elements of the Canberra Spatial Plan explain the strategic direction forCanberra and are illustrated on Map 1 (opposite):

■ Urban – The existing urban areas of the ACT and Queanbeyan.

■ Future urban – Future urban development areas to accommodate a range ofuses, including residential, commercial and community services.

■ Civic – The central business district and city centre of Canberra.

■ Town Centre – The primary commercial and service centres within each district ofCanberra (Woden, Tuggeranong, Belconnen and Gungahlin) and Queanbeyan.

■ Activity Node – Major employment areas outside of Civic and the town centres, ofsignificantly smaller scale, strategically located on major transport corridors. It isnot intended that any of these nodes accommodate more than 5–10 per cent oftotal employment.

■ Future employment corridor – Areas to be used primarily for future large scaleindustrial, institutional, tourist and other employment generating uses. It is notintended that this corridor replace the retail role of Civic or the town centres.

■ Landscape setting – Open spaces and bushland within the ACT that create thegreen backdrop to the urban and rural areas, including hills, ridges and gullies,major nature conservation areas, major recreation facilities and water features.

■ Rural setting – Frames the urban area and comprises the non-urban land in theACT that is used primarily for agricultural purposes, including cultivation, animalagistment, grazing and forestry, and rural villages.

■ Major roads – Current and committed future roads that connect urban areas,Civic and town centres.

■ Urban growth containment line – Urban development within the 30 year timeframe of the Spatial Plan will be contained within approximately 15 kilometres ofthe city centre.

■ Residential intensification line – At least 50 per cent of all residentialdevelopment will occur within 7.5kilometres of the city centre in the next 15years. Higher density residential development will be located in and around Civicand the town centres, on major centrally located urban renewal sites and alongmajor transport corridors.

Open title page for Map 1>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


M A R C H 2 0 0 4

A C T P L A N N I N G & L A N D A U T H O R I T Y 2 0 0 4

MAP 1 The Canberra Spatial Plan - Strategic Direction

i i A C T P L A N N I N G & L A N D A U T H O R I T Y 2 0 0 4

© Australian Capital Territory, Canberra ~ March 2004

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from ACT Planning and Land Authority.

Enquires about this publication should be directed to ACTPLA: Telephone: (02) 6207 5127 E-mail: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER Any representation, statement, opinion or advice, express or implied in this publication is made in good faith but on the basis that the Australian Capital Territory, its agents and employees are not liable (whether by reason or negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person or any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that persontaking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation, statement, or advice referred to above.

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ACT PLANNING & LAND AUTHORITY 16 Challis Street, Dickson PO Box 1908 Canberra City ACT 2601 TEL: 02 6207 1923 FAX: 02 6207 1925 ACTPLA WEBSITE: www.actpla.act.gov.au

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.actpla.act.gov.au/

i i iT H E C A N B E R R A S P A T I A L P L A N

Aboriginal people have lived in the region now known as the Australian Capital Territory for tens

of thousands of years. The European colonisation of Australia disrupted Aboriginal traditional

land use and has constrained the association of Aboriginal people with land. The ACT and wider

region is still occupied by descendents of the Aboriginal people who lived in this area and places

of Aboriginal cultural heritage provide tangible reminders of their traditional land use.

The relationship of Aboriginal people to the lands of the ACT and the significance of the cultural

heritage places that demonstrate traditional Aboriginal land use, to the Aboriginal and wider

community is recognised. The Ngunnawal people are acknowledged as the traditional owners of

this land.

Our Indigenous heritage

v i A C T P L A N N I N G & L A N D A U T H O R I T Y 2 0 0 4

1 THE FUTURE DIRECTION FOR CANBERRA 1

Purpose of The Canberra Spatial Plan 1

Context of The Canberra Spatial Plan 2

The Canberra Plan 2

National Capital Plan 2

Territory Plan 3

Achieving sustainability 3

Canberra as part of a region 4

Accommodating population change in the ACT 6

Employment and economic prosperity 8

Why the new structure for Canberra 10

2 THE CANBERRA SPATIAL PLAN – AN OVERVIEW 15

The Strategic Direction – A More Compact City 15

Goals and objectives underpinning the Spatial Plan 17

Key initiatives 18

Implementation 28

Measuring progress 28

3 PRINCIPLES OF THE CANBERRA SPATIAL PLAN 29

Containing growth 30

Residential intensification 31

Locating new residential areas 31

Centralising employment 33

Protecting the natural environment 33

Good travel connections 33

Sustainable growth of the region 34

4 ACHIEVING THE CANBERRA SPATIAL PLAN GOALS 35

Goal: Create and maintain a healthy community 36

Housing 36

Services and facilities 38

Safety 40

Recreational activities 42

Goal: Sustain employment opportunities 44

Economic development 44

City centre 46

Town centres 48

Employment location 50

Protecting opportunities for employment growth 52

Contents

v i A C T P L A N N I N G & L A N D A U T H O R I T Y 2 0 0 4

vT H E C A N B E R R A S P A T I A L P L A N

4 ACHIEVING THE CANBERRA SPATIAL PLAN GOALS (continued)

Goal: Retain ease of movement and facilitate good travel connections 56

Sustainable transport 56

Ease of getting around 58

Regional linkages and access 60

Goal: Maintain a unique sense of place 62

The National Capital 62

Open space 64

Cultural and natural heritage 66

High quality built environment 68

Goal: Respect the natural environment 70

Resource use 70

Biodiversity conservation 72

Water quality 74

Air quality 76

Goal: Ensure fiscal responsibility 78

Regional infrastructure provision 78

Efficient use of infrastructure 80

5 IMPLEMENTING THE CANBERRA SPATIAL PLAN 83

Implementation framework 83

Implementing the key initiatives of the Spatial Plan 84

Higher density residential development 84

Future residential settlement 84

Strong dynamic heart 85

Employment growth 85

Future industrial growth 86

Biodiversity conservation 86

Transport connections 87

Bushfire abatement zone 87

The rural setting 88

Water 88

Areas of national capital significance 88

Protecting opportunities for employment growth 89

Sustainable growth for the region 89

6 GLOSSARY 91

v i iT H E C A N B E R R A S P A T I A L P L A N

Map 1 The Canberra Spatial Plan - Strategic Direction inside title page

Map 2 ACT and Surrounding NSW 5

Map 3 Urban Capable Land 11

Map 4 Urban Suitable Land 13

Map 5 Future Residential Areas 20

Map 6 Implementation Sequencing 21

Map 7 Biodiversity Conservation 23

Map 8 Transport Connections 24

Map 9 Bushfire Abatement Zone 25

Map 10 Areas of National Capital Significance 26

Map 11 Clearance Zones 27

Maps for The Canberra Spatial Plan


I have great pleasure in presenting The Canberra Spatial Plan. The release ofThe Canberra Spatial Plan is the culmination of the community working together fornearly two years to develop the key strategic planning document which will guidedevelopment of our city for the next 30 years.

The community involvement in the development of the Spatial Plan began in April2002 with the Government’s publication of the full and inclusive process to beundertaken. The involvement of the community has been invaluable in ensuring thatthe output of this process, this Spatial Plan responds to the needs and aspirations ofCanberrans.

It has been an important time for establishing the future vision for our city. Togetherwe have developed a plan that will help ensure prosperity and sustainability for usand for future residents. The Canberra Spatial Plan will help enhance our worldclass and unique city for future generations.

Thank you to all those who have participated in the development of The CanberraSpatial Plan. This is a landmark document which you have helped shape. Yourcontributions are not just to Canberra today but to the future Canberra.

You have helped establish the framework for Canberra in the 21st Century: a city likeno other; planned with its people and for future generations.

Simon Corbell MLAMinister for Planning

Message from theMinister for Planning

1T H E C A N B E R R A S P A T I A L P L A N

1 The future direction forCanberra

The Canberra Spatial Plan outlines a strategic direction that will help manage change andprovide for growth to achieve the social, environmental and economic sustainability of Canberra.Under the umbrella of The Canberra Plan, it forms part of a comprehensive, integrated strategicplan for Canberra’s future. The Canberra Spatial Plan reflects the community’s aspirations forthe future of the city and its setting.

Purpose of The Canberra Spatial PlanThe purpose of The Canberra Spatial Plan is to provide clear strategic directions for thedevelopment of Canberra over the next 30 years and beyond, but with the flexibility required torespond to change. It is the Territory’s key strategic planning document for directing andmanaging urban growth and change.

With its focus on spatial planning – how we use space (the land and environs of the ACT) andmanage competing demands for space – it will ensure that Canberra can achieve a moresustainable, prosperous and equitable future.

Based on community aspirations and detailed planning analysis, it provides a Canberra-widecontext within which neighbourhood and district planning policies can be set. It maps a courseof short, medium and long term actions to support the strategic approach to the key urbandevelopment issues facing Canberra. It helps to improve understanding of and response toissues and implications that have geographical or physical and spatial dimensions. The policiesprovide a clear framework within which all of the stakeholders in Canberra’s future can plan theirown activities to best effect.

2 A C T P L A N N I N G & L A N D A U T H O R I T Y 2 0 0 4

The Spatial Plan is intended to guide theTerritory in its allocation of resources, such asthe use of land and the construction of capitalworks as well as to inform changes to boththe National Capital Plan and the TerritoryPlan. The Spatial Plan will not replace theTerritory Plan – it is a strategic document toguide more detailed planning. It sets theframework for spatially based decision makingin the future and outlines the actions neededto achieve the strategic direction for Canberraover the next 30 years.

Context of TheCanberra Spatial PlanThe Canberra Spatial Plan was developedthrough a two year process of consultationand planning review. This section outlinesthe context within which the Spatial Plan wasdeveloped.

THE CANBERRA PLAN

In October 2001, the ACT Government madea commitment to the people of Canberra todevelop a new strategic framework to guidethe development of the Territory over thecoming generation.

The Canberra Plan is that framework. Itdefines a direction for Canberra and supportsa program of integrated initiatives that willlead to its achievement.

The Canberra Plan comprises a suite of threeprimary elements:

■ an Economic White Paper;

■ a Social Plan; and

■ this Spatial Plan.

Together these components provide anintegrated strategy for strengthening oureconomy and its capacity to deliveropportunities for all Canberrans. At the sametime The Canberra Plan will enhance socialjustice and community cohesion andopportunity, and improve our ability to

manage competing demands for resources,land and preservation of our environment.

The Canberra Plan is a framework forresolving long term issues. It is not thedetailed solution to all those issues. It won’tprovide clear-cut answers to every situationbut it will insist on an integrated approach toenable diverse policies to be mutuallysupporting.

Because the modern city is sointerconnected, The Canberra Plan willstrengthen the cross-sectoral approach toemerging issues. These cross-sectoralapproaches will be regularly tested tomeasure their effectiveness as circumstanceschange. The Canberra Plan will establish along-term agenda that will involve rethinkingthe way we live, use resources, and dobusiness. It will also challenge present andfuture ACT elected leaders to look beyond thehorizon of the electoral cycle with newperspectives, constructive dialogue and innovativesolutions. Above all, The Canberra Plan willarticulate a common vision of a desirablefuture which addresses practical concernsshaping the lives of Canberra’s people as theylive, work, learn and play.

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLAN

Planning within the Territory is guided by theCommonwealth, through the National CapitalPlan and the National Capital Authority, aswell as the ACT Government and its planningauthority. The National Capital Plan providesa general policy framework for land use andplanning in the Territory, and more specificallyguides the planning, design and developmentof areas of the Territory that have beenidentified as having national capitalimportance (Designated Areas). The GeneralPolicy Plan - Metropolitan Canberra in theNational Capital Plan broadly adopted the1984 Metropolitan Policy Plan which wasbased on a comprehensive review of earliermetropolitan plans, including the 1967 plan(the Y-Plan). The General Policy Plan sets outthe current planned arrangement of majorland uses in the Territory.


Any significant departure from themetropolitan planning structure for theTerritory contained in the National CapitalPlan requires the Commonwealth’s agreementto amend the National Capital Plan. Anysuch amendment would includeconsideration of matters of nationalsignificance.

Matters of national significance in theplanning and development of Canberra andthe Territory to be protected as identified inthe National Capital Plan include:

■ securing Walter Burley Griffin’s planninglegacy;

■ maintaining a metropolitan structure planthat includes a hierarchy of centres anddefines the urban/non-urbanrelationship;

■ maintaining the rural and NationalCapital Open Space setting of thenational capital;

■ providing for a system of inter-townpublic transport;

■ minimising traffic congestion in theCentral National Area;

■ maintaining high quality design for entrypoints and along approach routes to theCentral National Area; and

■ maintaining a legible and functionalhierarchy of roads in the Territory.

TERRITORY PLAN

The Territory Plan is the key statutoryplanning document in the ACT, providing thepolicy framework for the administration ofplanning in the ACT. The purpose of theTerritory Plan is to manage land use changeand development in a manner consistent withstrategic directions set by the ACTGovernment, Legislative Assembly and thecommunity. It must not be inconsistent withthe National Capital Plan. The Territory Planincludes broad principles and policies thatguide development, through land use specificobjectives and policies. These principles andpolicies reflect the following goals:

■ sustainable development;

■ the achievement of an efficient, healthyand liveable city;

■ economic vitality;

■ community wellbeing;

■ environmental leadership; and

■ high quality design.

The National Capital Plan and the TerritoryPlan are established under the AustralianCapital Territory (Planning and LandManagement) Act 1988.

ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is crucial to Canberra’s futureand integral to the ACT Government’s visionfor a future Canberra. People PlaceProsperity: a policy for sustainability in theACT defines what sustainability means for theACT and commits the Government toembedding the principles of sustainability intothe way we do business. It underpins thedevelopment of The Canberra Plan andThe Canberra Spatial Plan.

People Place Prosperity states that theconcept of sustainability has three keycomponents:

■ recognition of the interdependence ofsocial, economic and environmental well-being;

■ a focus on equity and fairness, and thatwe need to take account of the effect ofour actions on others in aninterdependent world; and

■ recognition that meeting the needs oftoday must not be at the expense offuture generations being able to meettheir own needs.

The understanding of sustainability adoptedby the ACT Government is one thatrecognises the need for a long termperspective, the need for responsibilities andbenefits to be shared equitably, and the


interdependence of the economy,environment and society. A key issue relatingto the application of sustainability principles isthe development of a framework that resolvesthe conflicts between various principles inrelation to specific actions or policies.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operationand Development (OECD) in its 2001 urbanrenaissance review of Canberra, noted that asustainable city was one that was able to:

■ maximise its competitiveness in aglobalising economy;

■ strengthen social cohesion;

■ sustain quality, diversity and thecharacter of place;

■ reconcile partnership and leadership;

■ achieve flexibility in decision-making;

■ create better city-regional linkages;

■ empower communities;

■ manage urban growth better, both at thecentre and periphery of urban areas;

■ plan for its future with clear goals andpriorities;

■ adopt an integrative strategy thatreconciles economic, social andenvironmental objectives; and

■ promote rules and incentives that fostermore sustainable practices.

The Canberra Spatial Plan responds to theOECD report by seeking to achieve a trueurban renaissance city through a range ofintegrated initiatives. The Canberra SpatialPlan will strengthen Civic as the centralbusiness district (CBD). It will limit thecontinued dispersal of the urban form. It willachieve a more compact series of districtsprincipally within the ACT and hence closer tothe central employment areas, including theCBD. The Canberra Spatial Plan will alsoachieve a more sustainable urban form byproviding increased opportunities for higherdensity residential development in centrallocations thereby reducing travel distancesand the consumption of land, water andenergy. It recognises changed employment

patterns and locations and seeks to reinforcea central employment area supported by aseries of centres that are connected by publictransport and provide diverse employmentopportunities.

CANBERRA AS PART OF A REGION

The ACT and surrounding NSW regionincludes the settlements of Canberra and itsrural villages, the City of Queanbeyan, and anumber of towns and villages including Yass,Murrumbateman, Bungendore, Sutton,Gunning, Gundaroo, Binalong and Bredbo(Map 2 – ACT and Surrounding NSW).Currently approximately 376,000 people livewithin this region, which makes it the largestinland growth region in Australia. In recentyears, surrounding NSW has experiencedrates of growth higher than those in the ACT.This growth is considered to be partly due toeconomic factors, the outflow from the Sydneycorridor and a reflection of lifestyle changes.

The City of Queanbeyan, part of the GreaterQueanbeyan local government area, locatedimmediately adjacent to the Territory’s easternborder, effectively forms part of metropolitanCanberra, and while operating within adifferent jurisdiction with its own localgovernment, has similar characteristics toCanberra’s districts. It has a strongcommercial core (town centre) supported byresidential neighbourhoods, industrial activitiesand a range of other land uses and services.

The ACT Government and surroundingjurisdictions have been working together for anumber of years on many policy matters.From a planning perspective, this culminated inthe development of the ACT and Sub-RegionPlanning Strategy that was formally adoptedin 1998. While that strategy provided astrategic context for future development,subsequent changes in environmental andeconomic relationships, government policies,community expectations and emerginggovernance arrangements for the sub-regionmean that a new strategy to address planningissues for the region is required.


MAP 2 ACT and Surrounding NSW


A range of issues affect the whole region, notjust the ACT. They include: theaccommodation of future population growth,water management and environmentalprotection, support for economic diversity andgrowth, regional transport linkages, andprovision of facilities and services.

The Canberra Spatial Plan provides a veryimportant context and framework for an ACTstrategic position to inform revised regionalapproaches to planning and development.The Plan identifies the need for a RegionalManagement Framework and also outlineshow the Territory will participate in theSydney-Canberra Corridor Strategy.

ACCOMMODATING POPULATIONCHANGE IN THE ACT

POPULATION GROWTH

Population growth, demographic change andhousehold change underpin the need to planfor growth and change in Canberra andsurrounding NSW.

At June 2002, the ACT’s estimated residentpopulation was 321,800 and neighbouringQueanbeyan’s was 33,300. There were114,800 occupied dwellings (an average of2.6 persons per household) in the ACT and15,500 in Queanbeyan, in August 2001. TheAustralian Capital Territory PopulationProjections 2002 – 2032 and Beyondpredicts that on current trends the populationof Canberra would grow to approximately389,000 by 2032 (Graph 1). This reflectscontinuing low levels of fertility and netmigration to Canberra of about 500 peopleper year (a figure derived from averaging in-migration rates over the last few years). It isexpected that the ACT will have anincreasingly ageing population, with anestimated median age of 43.3 years in 2032.

While the Spatial Plan recognises the ACTGovernment population forecasts, it isimportant to also plan for the implications ofhigh end forecasts. The Australian Bureau ofStatistics high end forecasts predict an ACTpopulation of 460,000 by 2032. The highend projection would require annual net in-migration to the ACT and surrounding NSW ofaround 2,500 (including retention of youngpeople in Canberra following completion oftertiary training).

The Spatial Plan does not propose populationtargets but does provide the framework toaccommodate a range of population growthscenarios. Local economic prosperity orexternal factors, such as migration policyand/or continued growth of Sydney andpressure for development in the corridorbetween Canberra and Sydney, could have animpact on future population growth.

Prudent planning therefore requires that

The Canberra Spatial Plan caters for both

moderate and high population projections

– that is for a population of between

389,000 and 460,000 for the ACT and

between 430,000 and 500,000 for

Canberra-Queanbeyan.

GRAPH 1 OFFICIAL PROJECTED POPULATION GROWTH– ACT AT 2003

Source The Australian Capital Territory Population Projections2002–2032 and Beyond, ACT Government 2003

20321954 1961 1971 202120111991 20011981

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

450,000

400,000

250,000

350,000

300,000

YEAR


DWELLING DEMAND

At June 2001 there were 121,749 dwellingsin the ACT. Between 1991 and 2001 therewere 23,391 additional dwellings in the ACT,of which 61 per cent were separate houses.Dwelling approvals in Queanbeyan, Yass andYarralumla between 1996 and 2001 totalled3,000. Almost 65 per cent of these were inQueanbeyan and over 90 per cent of theseapprovals were for separate houses.

The housing types developed in Canberra andthe surrounding region reflect a general,Australia wide, shift towards construction ofhigher density dwellings, such as townhouses,apartments and flats. For example, between1991 and 2001 there was a 4 per centdecrease in the stock of separate houses inthe ACT (as a percentage of total housing) anda 4 per cent increase in other types of houses.This trend away from detached housing isexpected to continue over time (Graph 2).

Household size is declining and even the lowor moderate population growth currentlyprojected would mean a higher rate ofhousehold formation than population growthalone would indicate. It is predicted that theaverage household size will decrease from 2.6persons currently to 2.2 persons by 2032.This will impact on the housing needs andpreferences of the population, as will thepredicted shift to an ageing population overthe same time frame. (Graph 3).

The predicted ageing of the population(Graph 4) will require additional housingsolutions, specifically for aged people.

GRAPH 2 CHANGING HOUSING STOCK Source Australian Bureau of Statistics 1991, 1996, 2001

census

Dwelling type 1991-2001

% of houses

1991 1996 2001

0

20

40

80

60

100

Separate House (from 80% to 76%)

Other House (from 20% to 24%)Semi detached, terrace, townhouse, flat, unit,apartment

GRAPH 3 HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND HOUSEHOLD NUMBERSource The Australian Capital Territory Population Projections

2002–2032 and Beyond, ACT Government 2003 andCensus of Population and Housing 2001, 2015.8 ABS 2002

2002

NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS SIZE OF HOUSEHOLDS

Number of Households Persons per Household

20322012 2022

200,000

175,000

25,000

50,000

75,000

0

150,000

125,000

100,000

2.2

2.6

GRAPH 4 POPULATION CHANGE BY AGE GROUP {BETWEEN 2002 AND 2032)Source The Australian Capital Territory Population Projections 2002–2032 and Beyond, ACT Government 2003

-6,000

-4,000

-2,000

0

2,000

10,000

8,000

4,000

6,000

12,000

NUMBER14,000

0 to

4

5 to

9

10 t

14

15 t

o 19

20 t

o 24

25 t

o 29

30 t

o 34

34 t

o 39

40 t

o 44

45 t

o 49

50 t

o 54

55 t

o 59

60 t

o 64

65 t

o 69

85+

80 t

o 84

75 t

o 79

70 t

o 74

AGE GROUPS


Based on the current official population

projections, household size and

expected demographic changes the

number of dwellings in Canberra-

Queanbeyan could increase by 58,000

by 2032. If the population increased to

500,000, some 90,000 additional

dwellings would be needed.

Whatever the future holds in terms of housingdemand, the current committed areas alonewill not meet the estimated demand forhousing in and around Canberra under thecurrent official moderate and high growthprojections. Current capacity for residentialdevelopment within the ACT includes:

■ vacant sites with the capacity for 10,000dwellings within established areas,including Bruce, McKellar, Lawson, WestBonython, East O’Malley and NorthWatson; and

■ use of greenfields parcels in Gungahlinand Dunlop with a capacity of up to30,000 dwellings.

Areas are also under investigation for urbandevelopment in various locations outside ofthe ACT, including Tralee and Googong,located south and south west of Queanbeyanand Sutton, north east of Canberra.

While it is difficult to predict with certaintyfuture housing preferences, an increase indemand for higher density housing to about 50per cent (due to declining household size) hasbeen assumed, with sufficient flexibility in theplanning to respond to both higher and lowerlevels of demand for various housing types.

New areas have been identified in TheCanberra Spatial Plan within the ACT forfuture residential development to meetprojected demand and to accommodatehigher levels of development, should thisoccur.

EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMICPROSPERITY

EMPLOYMENT PROSPERITY

Traditionally, Canberra’s economy has had avery different structure to the national economy,with the public sector its main base for much ofthe 20th Century. The Commonwealth willcontinue to be the cornerstone of the ACTeconomy. There is still the capacity to attractother Commonwealth agencies to the ACTand strengthen Canberra’s role as the seat ofFederal Government. However, it is expectedthat the share of office space occupied by theFederal Government (currently 83 per cent ofoffice space in the ACT) will decline over thenext 25-30 years. The ACT’s economy isdiversifying, particularly into informationcommunication technology (ICT) andknowledge based industries. One of theTerritory’s key objectives is to continue tosupport and nurture this diversification toreduce the ACT’s dependence on theCommonwealth for its future prosperity.

Today, small business is vital to the futurestrengthening of the economy. There are now20,000 small businesses in the ACT,comprising more than 96 per cent of allprivate sector businesses. Four out of five ofthese are home-based.

A major employment and economic issuefacing the ACT concerns the ageing of thepopulation. Without population growth, it ispredicted that Canberra faces a significantshortfall in employable aged people within 10years, as the proportion of people aged 65years and over is projected to increase fromabout 8 per cent of the population to over 20per cent by 2032.

Economic competitiveness is increasinglydependant on the creation, commercialisationand use of new knowledge and high levelskills, learning, creativity and adaptation.Canberra has many of the attributes requiredto ensure success in this new environment.


■ access to domestic and internationalmarkets - the improvement of transportinfrastructure - highway upgrading(making Canberra accessible to Sydney,Australia’s global city, and the largerconsumer market) and the internationalairport providing better access toAustralia and the world for business,tourism and freight.

The Economic White Paper has identifiededucation as one of the largest exports of theACT, providing some $100 million per annum.It has identified the retention of recentgraduates as a factor in the long termeconomic prosperity of the city – without theinjection or retention of greater numbers ofyoung people, Canberra will find it moredifficult to sustainable human services for itsageing population and sustainable funding tomaintain its ageing infrastructure. Spatialfactors that contribute to the retention andattraction of young people include lifestyle(access to recreation and cultural activities,night life and restaurants) and housing choice(affordability and accessibility to employment,education and centres of activity).

EMPLOYMENT LOCATION

The corridor from Belconnen to Civic andsouth Canberra through to Fyshwick, CanberraInternational Airport and Queanbeyanaccommodates 70 per cent of current jobs.At July 2003, 29 per cent of the office stock inCanberra was in Civic. The office marketvacancy rate in Civic was 4.7 per cent, thelowest recorded CBD vacancy in office spacein Australia. The available office stock withinCivic is not attractive to a wide range oftenants, with limited A and B-grade space.With no space to move existing tenants to inthe city centre while current office space isbeing refurbished, tenants at times have littleoption other than to go elsewhere, such as toBarton and the Canberra International Airport(Brindabella Business Park). The vacancyrates, however, support the industry’s view thatthere is substantial unmet demand foradditional office space in Civic and indeed inCanberra generally.

The Economic White Paper addressesemployment and economic growth for theACT, outlining an economic and industrypolicy framework to achieve sustainablegrowth and development. The Spatial Planwill complement The Economic White Paperby facilitating the development of a cityenvironment that supports the achievement ofthe community’s economic objectives.

Some of the characteristics of Canberra thatwill, if managed appropriately, assist insupporting economic growth, especially in thenew knowledge based economy, include:

■ its highly skilled community (in 200126 per cent of the population aged15 to 24 had a university bachelordegree or higher compared to thenational average of 6 per cent);

■ its proximity to national government;

■ its role as the national capital - access togovernment and national institutions – theNational Museum of Australia hasconsolidated the role by complementingthe other national attractions such as theNational Gallery of Australia, the AustralianWar Memorial and Parliament House;

■ its higher education and research facilities– three major universities (AustralianNational University, Australian DefenceForce Academy and the University ofCanberra), the CSIRO; 22 cooperativeresearch centres; the Canberra Institute ofTechnology;

■ the urban amenity – the short journeys towork, the clean air, the low pollution,safety, the high quality health andeducational services, the recreationalservices including proximity to the coast,the snow and the bush;

■ its international reputation as a wellplanned city;

■ the ability to quickly respond to majoropportunities by having efficientadministrative structures (two tiers ofgovernment rather than three) and asupply of vacant sites under Territorygovernment control that can be madeavailable at relatively short notice; and

1 0 A C T P L A N N I N G & L A N D A U T H O R I T Y 2 0 0 4

The 1967 Y-Plan which has remained as thekey strategic plan until now, provided forCanberra to grow through the creation ofseparate districts in the form of a ‘Y’ (Figure 1).The Canberra Spatial Plan departs from the Y-Plan in key areas by seeking to provide a moresustainable and compact city form. However, itdoes not resile from the multicentred model ofthe Y-Plan, nor ‘undo’ it.

In developing The Canberra Spatial Plan,consideration was given to areas that werecapable of urban development within the ACT(Map 3 – Urban Capable Land). These areaswere identified through examination of factorsthat may constrain, or potentially limit, thelocation of future urban development,

Why the new structure for Canberraincluding social, physical and environmentalconstraints. Generally these are areascurrently undeveloped for urban purposes butexcluding conservation areas, river corridors,habitats for endangered species and areas ofsteeply sloping land (20% or more).Sustainability principles were applied todetermine suitability of this land for urbansettlement (Map 4 – Urban Suitable Land).Key issues included maximising access toand use of existing services and facilities andinfrastructure, minimising the need for newtransport links and travel times, maintainingthe sense of place of the city, protectingbiodiversity, ensuring fiscal responsibility forthe Territory and supporting employmentopportunities.

FIGURE 1: The 1967 Y-Plan

Sutton


MAP 3 Urban Capable Land

1 CONTAINING GROWTHThe Strategic Direction provides an urbansettlement strategy that contains growth withinapproximately 15 kilometres of the city centreover the next 30 years (reflecting the need tocontain sprawl).

2 RESIDENTIAL INTENSIFICATIONResidential intensification will be within a7.5 kilometre radius of the city centre over thenext 15 years and will accommodate thepredicted demand for a wider range of housingin locations close to employment and services.

3 LOCATING NEW RESIDENTIAL AREASThe Molonglo Valley and the Kowen Plateau areidentified as future greenfields residentialdevelopment areas to meet the predicteddemand for housing for low and medium densityhousing in addition to completion of Gungahlin.

The Molonglo Valley will provide high levels ofaccessibility into Civic, Belconnen, Woden andTuggeranong, allowing residents ease of accessto different places of employment, services andeducation institutions.

Development on the Kowen Plateau will alsoresult in short journeys to central and easternplaces of employment and education, includingQueanbeyan.

4 LOCATING EMPLOYMENT Three key employment corridors will concentratedevelopment on major transport routes. Civicand the town centres will be the primary focusfor future employment growth within thesecorridors. Activity nodes within the corridors willalso accommodate employment growth, but to alesser extent than Civic and the town centres.

5 PROTECTING BIODIVERSITYThe protection of wildlife corridors through thewhole of the ACT and containment of growthwithin a 15 kilometre radius minimises theimpact of urban growth on areas of highconservation value.

6 GOOD TRAVEL CONNECTIONSThe location of future residential development,including new greenfields areas, redevelopmentand urban renewal will minimise trip length andjourney times.


MAP 4 Urban Suitable Land



The Canberra Spatial Plan broadly describes the Canberra to which we as a community aspire.It recognises that the community of Canberra will be different in 30 years time. It outlines thecharacteristics encapsulated in the Strategic Direction and the key initiatives to achieve the goalsand objectives underpinning the plan. The Canberra Spatial Plan also includes a detailedimplementation plan and mechanisms for regular review.

The Strategic Direction – A More Compact CityIt is expected that in 30 years time there will be more people living in Canberra. As a proportionof the total community it is also clearly predicted that there will be a lot more older people and alot less younger people.

Unless there is a significant change to Australia’s immigration policies, the population of Australiawill experience moderate growth rates. This growth will need to be accommodated somewhere,and there is already significant concern about the impact the concentration of growth on thecoast is having, especially in the Sydney basin. While Canberra is an inland city, requiringcareful planning and environmental management, there is confidence that we can relieve somepopulation pressure from the larger metropolitan areas.

The Canberra Spatial Plan therefore puts in place a framework that encourages and facilitatespopulation growth and seeks to ensure that we can sustainably provide for this community of thefuture, with a population of up to half a million for the Canberra-Queanbeyan metropolitan area.

2 The Canberra Spatial Plan –An Overview

1 6 A C T P L A N N I N G & L A N D A U T H O R I T Y 2 0 0 41 6 A C T P L A N N I N G & L A N D A U T H O R I T Y 2 0 0 4

The Canberra Spatial Plan aims for a Canberra that in 2032 will have the followingcharacteristics:

Canberra: the liveable city, enjoyed by allAn inclusive community, valuing the diversity of its people. It willbe a city where people can walk or cycle, enjoying the network ofpaths, on and off-road, as they travel within and across the city orenjoy the recreational opportunities the city and its rural and naturalsetting can offer. It will be a safe city where people can enjoy theirlives without undue concerns about the impact of natural hazards.Canberra will be an accessible city. People will be able to traveleasily from one place in the city to another and services will bereadily available.

Canberra will be an international city with a dynamic heart

A thriving and vibrant city centre. The city centre will attract residents andvisitors, to meet with friends, share ideas, enjoy cultural events and enjoythe sense of place and architecture of a great modern city. The city centrewill be the focus of commerce for the region and will attract national andinternational businesses. Above all, it will provide a home for our locallygrown businesses and Territory and Commonwealth government agencieswhile proudly standing as the nation’s capital.

Canberra will be a city of choiceA choice of housing will provide for the diverse range of householdsthat will make up our community. People will be able to choose to livetheir whole lives in their local neighbourhood but will be able to moveto various types of housing that best suit their needs at a particularstage in life. Many more people will be living within Central Canberrawhere they can enjoy the lifestyle offered by a vibrant international city.Families will have the choice of housing appropriate for the needs oftheir growing children. Older people will have access to a range ofhousing and services appropriate to their needs. There will be a rangeof affordable housing options. Workplaces will be diverse, and manypeople will have the opportunity to work from home, but clusteringjobs around existing commercial centres will ensure a moresustainable public transport system and minimise the length of thejourney to work or to education facilities.

Canberra will be a place where the natural and culturalenvironment is respected and protectedNature will continue to be a part of the city and will frame the urban areas.Air quality will be excellent, energy will be used efficiently and cleanly andthe quality of water discharged to our natural waterways will be of the highestenvironmental standard. Water use will be managed wisely and within theenvironmental capabilities of the region. The regional significance of theremaining bushland will be valued. Canberra will be a city where growth hasbeen largely contained within a 15 kilometre radius of the city centre. Setwithin rolling hills and green spaces, with the backdrop of the Australianbush, interspersed with lakes that all can enjoy, Canberra will be a beautiful cityrenowned as one of the world’s great 20th and 21st Century planned cities.


GOAL CREATE AND MAINTAIN A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

Goals and Objectives Underpinning the Spatial PlanThe Spatial Plan provides for the future urban development of the Territory in a more sustainablemanner. Core values that underpin the spatial planning of Canberra have emerged fromconsultation with the community and have been translated into a series of goals and objectives thatthe Spatial Plan is designed to achieve.

■ Provide opportunities for a diverse range of housing for the full range of household typesand lifestyle preferences.

■ Facilitate the equitable distribution of services and facilities, including education and healthcare, arts and recreational facilities.

■ Maximise safety and perceptions of safety within the community.

■ Facilitate an environment that provides shared access to public spaces and promoteshealthy activities.

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GOAL SUSTAIN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

■ Facilitate a prosperous city.

■ Facilitate a vibrant, robust and culturally stimulating city centre.

■ Support viable town centres as a focus for each district.

■ Provide flexible opportunities and appropriate locations for establishing and growingbusiness.

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GOAL RETAIN EASE OF MOVEMENT AND FACILITATE GOOD TRAVEL CONNECTIONS

■ Establish a more sustainable and more responsive transport system.

■ Maintain and enhance the ease of getting around.

■ Maximise linkages and access to services and employment for the population of Canberraand surrounding NSW.

■ Minimise travel time and journey distance between urban residential areas and the maincentres of employment and services for the ACT and surrounding NSW.

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GOAL MAINTAIN A UNIQUE SENSE OF PLACE

■ Support Canberra’s role as the national capital.

■ Retain and strengthen the open space network, including the hills, ridges, naturalwatercourses and gullies.

■ Recognise the importance of cultural and natural heritage.

■ Facilitate a high quality built environment.

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GOAL RESPECT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

■ Create and establish a built form and city layout that minimises resource consumption,including water and energy use.

■ Protect and enhance biodiversity through nature reserves and maintaining connectivitybetween them.

■ Maintain water quality and availability.

■ Maintain air quality.

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GOAL ENSURE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

■ Facilitate the provision of physical, social and cultural infrastructure in a coordinated andcost effective manner.

■ Facilitate improved efficiency of existing urban infrastructure such as schools, health care,transport systems, water supply, wastewater management, stormwater management,electricity and telecommunications.OB

JECT

IVES


The Canberra Spatial Plan Strategic Directioncomprises a series of key elements that areidentified on Map 1. These elementsdescribe the spatial relationships that willguide the development of Canberra over thenext 30 years.

THE 13 KEY INITIATIVES that are critical toachieve the Strategic Direction are outlined onMap 1.

Maps 2 and 5 – 11 illustrate the key initiativesrelating to achievement of the StrategicDirection:

■ Map 2 – ACT and Surrounding NSW

■ Map 5 – Future Residential Areas

■ Map 6 – Implementation Sequencing

■ Map 7 – Biodiversity Conservation

■ Map 8 – Transport Connections

■ Map 9 – Bushfire Abatement Zone

■ Map 10 – Areas of National CapitalSignificance

■ Map 11 – Clearance Zones

Key initiatives of the Spatial Plan include:

■ HIGHER DENSITY RESIDENTIALDEVELOPMENT within the existing urbanarea, providing easy access betweenhome and places of work, education,community services and culturalactivities. Primarily this increasedpopulation will occur within CentralCanberra in Civic, along NorthbourneAvenue, Constitution Avenue, in Barton,Kingston and around the town centreswith limited change to existing suburbanareas. People will enjoy a choice ofhousing. (Map 5 – Future ResidentialAreas)

■ FUTURE RESIDENTIAL SETTLEMENTwill continue to take place in Gungahlin,and subject to detailed suitability andfeasibility investigations followed by

necessary policy amendments, will alsocommence in the Molonglo Valley in theshort to medium term. If the citycontinues to grow in population beyondthe capacity of these areas, furthersettlement will be accommodated on theKowen Plateau. (Map 5 – FutureResidential Areas and Map 6 –Implementation Sequencing)

■ Civic and the central area will form aSTRONG DYNAMIC HEART to theTerritory and surrounding NSW – acentre of culture, business, ideas andcreativity; retaining and attracting jobs,people and important events. (Map 1 –The Canberra Spatial Plan - StrategicDirection)

■ Civic and existing centres will be thefocus of EMPLOYMENT GROWTH, withexisting corridors of employment beingreinforced by clustering at nodes alongtransport corridors (additional districtactivity nodes will be located in theMolonglo Valley and the Kowen Plateauwhen these areas are developed). (Map 4– Urban Suitable Land)

■ Future industrial, broadacre andtransport related employment growth willbe accommodated within existingindustrial areas and the corridorcomprising Majura and Symonstonvalleys including the airport and Hume.(Map 1 – The Canberra Spatial Plan -Strategic Direction)

■ Nature reserves and other land whichprovides significant habitats for wildlifewithin the urban and non-urban areaswill be managed for BIODIVERSITYCONSERVATION and linked together withthe region by corridors that enablewildlife movement. (Map 7 – BiodiversityConservation)

Key Initiatives


■ Major TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS,including public transport, will link thetown centres to Civic, and link futureurban settlement in the Molonglo Valleyand the Kowen Plateau to majoremployment corridors; Majura Highwaywill be upgraded to form part of a criticalregional transport link and together withGungahlin Drive will form the major outerby-passes of Civic, keeping throughtraffic away from the heart of the city.(Map 8 – Transport Connections)

■ A BUSHFIRE ABATEMENT ZONE will bedeclared and managed to protect the cityfrom the possible impacts of majorbushfire events. (Map 9 – BushfireAbatement Zone)

■ The non-urban areas that form theRURAL SETTING of the city (outside ofnature conservation areas) will beprimarily used for sustainable agriculture(including forestry west of theMurrumbidgee River). Historical ruralsettlements form part of the rural setting.(Map 1 – The Canberra Spatial Plan -Strategic Direction)

■ The WATER catchments for the existingdams supplying water to Canberra andthe catchment of possible future potablewater supply dams for the ACT and itsregion will be protected from anydevelopment that would adversely affectthe quality of that water. The sub-catchments of the ACT watercourses willbe managed to protect water quality.(Map 2 – ACT and Surrounding NSW)

■ The elements that contribute to theNATIONAL CAPITAL SIGNIFICANCE ofthe ACT will be preserved. These includethe Central National Area, the landscapesetting including the National CapitalOpen Space System, major approachroutes (Barton Highway, Federal

Highway, Majura Highway and MonaroHighway) and the roads connecting themto the Central National Area (describedas National Capital Vista Routes on Map10 – Areas of National CapitalSignificance).

■ Significant assets that provideOPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTUREECONOMIC GROWTH of the Territory willbe protected. These include the MountStromlo Observatory and CanberraInternational Airport. An Aircraft NoiseProtection Corridor is identified for theMajura-Symonston Valleys. The Territorywill not locate any residentialdevelopment within these valleys whereresidents would be unacceptablyimpacted by airport noise. A low lightzone is established around MountStromlo Observatory to enable thecontinued operation of this facility as theMolonglo Valley is developed. (Map 11 –Clearance Zones)

■ Development in the region is theresponsibility of the NSW Governmentand surrounding local government. TheSpatial Plan introduces strategic policiesto input to the SUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENT OF THE ACT ANDREGION particularly with regard to water,biodiversity conservation, urban form andemployment location, transport andservice delivery. (Map 2 – ACT andSurrounding NSW)

MAP 5 Future Residential Areas


MAP 6 Implementation Sequencing



MAP 7 Biodiversity Conservation

MAP 8 Transport Connections


MAP 9 Bushfire Abatement Zone


MAP 10 Areas of National Capital Significance


MAP 11 Clearance Zones



ImplementationThe Spatial Plan will be implemented througha range of measures over the next 30 yearsincluding:

■ land release;

■ investment in infrastructure;

■ Central Canberra ImplementationProgram;

■ master plans for urban renewal sites;

■ policy changes to the Territory Plan andthe National Capital Plan; and

■ further investigations.

An implementation framework has beendeveloped to ensure that the StrategicDirection can be achieved over the next 25-30 years. Section 4 outlines the policyresponse and actions to achieve specificoutcomes in implementing The CanberraSpatial Plan. Section 5 summarises theimplementation strategy.

For the plan to be successfully implemented,it will require coordination across the activitiesof many government agencies, private sectorinterests and the community. It will requirecontinuity over time, but with regularmonitoring to enable review wherecircumstances warrant. The activities of theCommonwealth, NSW and surrounding localgovernments will also influence theimplementation of the plan. A RegionalManagement Framework will be establishedto ensure effective implementation of cross-border actions. The Territory will alsoparticipate in the preparation of the Sydney-Canberra Corridor Strategy.

Measuring progress The Spatial Plan is a working document.The intention is that implementation of thePlan will be regularly monitored, reviewedand updated as progress towards theStrategic Direction for Canberra is gauged.Actions will be taken to respond to emergingissues or changing demands. The Plancontains indicators for measuring progressand identifying opportunities or issues whereappropriate. If the indicators show theobjectives of the Plan are not beingachieved, then new or revised strategies willbe developed. Monitoring and reviewmeasures are outlined in Section 4 inrelation to each goal and objective of TheCanberra Spatial Plan.

The first review will occur within two years ofthe adoption of the Plan, with the review toreport to Government and be provided to theLegislative Assembly. Subsequently,monitoring will occur biennially and there willbe a major review every five years to ensurethe continual relevance of the plan’s policyresponse, actions and indicators and theimplementation strategy. Adjustments to thePlan will be made where appropriate. Thegoals and broad strategic direction will remainconstant over time to ensure certainty andconsistency in decision making.

The key principles underpinning the Spatial Plan are:

■ Containing growth

■ Residential intensification

■ Centralising new residential areas

■ Locating employment

■ Protecting biodiversity

■ Good travel connections

■ Sustainable growth of the region

The rationale behind these principles is outlined in this section.

3 Principles of The CanberraSpatial Plan



Containing growthThe Canberra Spatial Plan provides an urbansettlement strategy that contains up to 50 per centof the projected urban growth in the ACT andsurrounding NSW within the existing urbanarea of Canberra. In addition, the StrategicDirection aims to contain up to 90 per cent offuture urban development projected to occurin the 30 year time frame of the Spatial Planto areas no further from Civic than thesuburbs of Gungahlin (approximately 15 km).

The containment of the city within a 15kilometre radius of the city centre reflects theaspirations of our community to restrainurban expansion. Containment will assist inmaintaining a more sustainable city form interms of the following:

■ Limiting travel time and distance - byminimising journey length betweenhome, employment, education, retailcentres, recreation and services. Thealternative (as outlined in The ACT andSub-Region Planning Strategy 1998)proposes future urban growth in thelocality of Gooromon–Jeir to the northwest of the ACT. Gooromon–Jeir wasoriginally identified as a future urbanarea in the Y-Plan of 1967. The Y-Planwas based on significant levels ofcontainment of trips within distinct urbanareas (the districts around each towncentre). Despite 30 years of planning,these levels of containment have notbeen achieved – for example,Tuggeranong (which is approachingcompletion) contains 25 per cent of theresidential population of Canberra, butonly 9 per cent of the employment,meaning that most of the people living inTuggeranong must travel elsewhere forjobs. Similarly, whilst educationinstitutions in the Government systemand food based retailing are welldistributed in each district so trips tothese are largely contained, tertiaryeducation is centralised in the city centreand Belconnen, and 30 per cent of retail

floor space (the vast majority of the bulkygoods retailing for the ACT) is located inFyshwick. Further dispersement of theurban development to areas likeGooromon–Jeir is not likely to achieveany higher levels of containment (indeed,the trend is towards lesser containmentas trips become more complex). Thus,by ensuring that new residentialdevelopment occurs either within theexisting urban area, or close to existingdevelopment, trip lengths are minimised.

■ Accessibility - Canberrans value thehigh levels of accessibility offered by thewell planned layout of the city and itsroads. Public transport access,particularly to the areas most distantfrom employment, is good by Australiancity standards, but the time taken fromorigin to destination means that peoplerelying on public transport do not havehigh levels of access. By containing theextent of future urban development to nofurther than 15 kilometres from the citycentre, the high levels of accessibility thecity currently offers will be retained andenhanced as more people are able to liveclose to centres of employment andservices. A city structure that offerscentralised employment, by district andin the central area, with retail and otherservices provided at the district level,optimises the operation of a publictransport system while at the same timeallowing for a distribution of privatevehicle traffic that avoids congestion oftrunk routes (as would be the case ifGooromon–Jeir was to be the next majorarea of development).

■ Increasing the vibrancy of the citycentre - containing growth within adistance that allows easy access to thecity centre, and encouraging significantadditional residential development in andaround the city centre will increase thevibrancy of that centre by creating24 hour activity.


■ Biodiversity conservation andenvironmental protection - containingoutward spread of the city so that the‘footprint’ of the city on the landscape isminimised (whilst balancing it with theneed to provide housing choice) assistsgreatly in protecting biodiversity.Containing urban development alsominimises the impacts of urban growthon the environment by reducing the percapita production of greenhouse gasesand consumption of energy.

ResidentialintensificationThe encouragement of residentialintensification within a 7.5 kilometre radius ofthe city centre over the next 15 years is oneof the key principles of The Canberra SpatialPlan. This will ensure that up to 50 per centof the predicted future urban growth will belocated close to existing major employmentareas and existing services and facilitiesincluding schools. It will also continue tocontain the city within its setting of rolling hillsand green spaces, ensuring retention of theagricultural areas which contribute to theeconomy and help create the rural setting forthe city and minimise impact on urbanspread areas of high conservation value.

Increased residential intensification willrespond to the predicted demand for greaterhousing choice (as more single and twoperson households form and fewerhouseholds desire to live in standard lowdensity detached dwellings). Higher densityresidential developments will be targeted tospecific areas. Rather than being dispersedthroughout the suburbs, intensification willoccur at major employment centres (Civic,the town centres and Barton), along the majorGriffin legacy boulevards of NorthbourneAvenue and Constitution Avenue and in majorurban renewal sites (such as Kingston andwest Fyshwick). Further development inthese locations will retain the ease of

movement within the city by encouragingpeople to use alternative forms of transport totheir place of employment (which will bewithin walking distance). Greater diversity ofland uses, including residential development,in areas such as Central Canberra, includingBarton and Russell will also facilitate shorterjourneys to work and enhance connectivitybetween residential areas and employmentnodes. Existing low density residential areaswill generally not be subject to residentialintensification. The subsequent savings inprovision of major new infrastructure (roads,sewerage etc) will ensure a more sustainableuse of resources.

Locating newresidential areasTwo major new areas for residentialdevelopment are identified, in addition to thecompletion of Gungahlin and residentialintensification within the existing urban areaof Canberra.

MOLONGLO VALLEY, to the west of CentralCanberra between Belconnen and WestonCreek, will complete the urban edge ofCanberra to the west. The Molonglo Valley isframed by undulating hills, including DairyFarmers Hill to the east and Mount Stromlo tothe south west, and is bisected by the lowerreaches of the Molonglo River, downstream ofScrivener Dam and Lake Burley Griffin. Thevalley is largely grazing country and alsocontained the Stromlo Forest softwood pineplantations prior to the 2003 bushfires.

Modification to the natural vegetation in muchof the valley has been significant, althoughsubstantial areas of Yellow Box-Red Gumremain. The area has been identified ascapable for urban development based on ananalysis of the physical characteristics of thesite. Due to its proximity to existing servicesand employment centres, the Molonglo Valleyis considered highly suitable for urbandevelopment.


The Molonglo Valley presents a number ofsignificant opportunities to undertakedevelopment in a more sustainable way:

■ Residents would be able to access goodpublic transport links to the employmentcentres of Belconnen, Civic,Barton/Parkes, Woden and Tuggeranong.With the advantage of relatively shorttravel distances, time savings would besignificant versus the alternative of thisnew development occurring in moreremote areas such as in Gooromon–Jeiror Googong in NSW.

■ By locating new residential developmentwhere residents can access the majoremployment locations, pressure on theeast-west road links would be reduced.If this development was located inGooromon–Jeir, or Googong to the southof Queanbeyan for example, mostpressure on the transport system wouldcome from the north and north-west orthe east and ultimately have greaterimpacts on the road system inBelconnen and the Central Area thanwould development in Molonglo Valley.

■ This development will effectively reducethe length of Canberra’s western urbanedge which is the most exposed to fire.A well-designed Bushfire AbatementZone can be built into the design of thedevelopment (for example, through thelocation of sports fields) and can helpshield some of the more vulnerable partsof the city from the high risk of fire alongthe western path.

■ The existing areas of Yellow Box-RedGum can be further protected and linkedto provide wildlife corridors, connectingnorthern and southern endangeredecological communities.

Development within Molonglo Valley wouldenable the efficient use of treated effluentfrom the Lower Molonglo Water TreatmentPlant, particularly for watering gardens andpublic areas, thereby reducing the demands

from a growing population for potable water.This would also respond to the Territory’swater strategy to substantially increase thereuse of treated effluent and could allow forsome irrigated sports fields to mitigate againstfire. Development in the Molonglo Valley willalso facilitate the introduction of necessaryenvironmental safeguards for the water qualityof the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee Riversystem, including water quality controlmeasures that reduce the impact of existingurban runoff from Woden and Weston Creek.

THE KOWEN PLATEAU is located east of themetropolitan area of Canberra and north ofthe City of Queanbeyan. It is currentlyprimarily used for softwood plantation andtherefore has experienced significantmodification to the original vegetation.Although not as well located as MolongloValley, Kowen Plateau is situated relativelyclose to major employment areas within theTerritory and Queanbeyan.

The Kowen Plateau is included in the long-term residential settlement strategy but maybe brought forward if more detailed analysisof Molonglo Valley shows that this area isconstrained for development. Furtherinvestigations, undertaken with the NationalCapital Authority will establish in more detailthe capacity of the Molonglo Valley, inparticular, the implications of protecting areasof national capital significance. Should theseinvestigations identify further constraints,additional greenfield areas will be needed tocater for population growth up to 500,000.Kowen Plateau is the next best location afterMolonglo Valley for future urban developmentwithin the ACT and within a reasonable traveldistance of major employment centres andservices. Kowen Plateau has the capacity toaccommodate growth well beyond a populationof 500,000 in the ACT-Queanbeyan area.


CentralisingemploymentThree key employment corridors are identifiedas part of The Canberra Spatial Plan. Thecorridors are major transport corridors,providing key inter-town and regionalconnections via public and private transport.Civic and the town centres will be the primaryfocus for future employment growth withinthese corridors. Activity nodes within thecorridors will also accommodate employmentgrowth, but to a lesser extent than Civic andthe town centres. Growth and retention ofemployment in Civic and town centres whichare well served by public transport is highlydesirable as it reduces overall travel,encourages multi-purpose trips andcontributes to the vibrancy and support ofbusinesses in centres. These centres are alsosuitable for further residential developmentcreating the potential for a close relationshipbetween dwellings and jobs, and therebyreducing the necessity for long journey towork trips.

While the Gungahlin to Tuggeranong corridorand the Belconnen to Queanbeyan corridorfocus on the establishment of centres alongthese transport routes, the second north-south corridor along the Majura and MonaroHighways is envisaged to play a slightlydifferent role, with different land usecharacteristics. Much of this area is affectedby aircraft noise, making it unsuitable forresidential development. This, combined withits access to good transport connectionsmakes it highly desirable for land-extensiveuses. These uses are the type that mayrequire good access for heavy vehicles andwould not be appropriate in more centrallocations in and around Civic and the towncentres because of the necessarily lessefficient use of land involved.

Protecting the naturalenvironmentThe containment of growth within a 15kilometre radius of the city centre reduces thepotential land take for residential developmentand also reduces pressure on areas of highconservation value which could otherwise beseverely impacted by future urbandevelopment. The location of futureresidential development will ensure that areasidentified as having significant biodiversityvalues, such as threatened species andecological communities and habitat forthreatened species are protected fromdevelopment. Urban intensification and thelocation of new residential areas on trunkpublic transport routes will encourage use ofpublic transport and support a more viableand rapid public transport system, as well asfacilitating other modes of sustainabletransport thereby reducing greenhouse gasemissions and resource use.

Good travelconnectionsOne of the goals of the Spatial Plan is toretain ease of movement and facilitate goodtravel connections. This goal responds to thevery high value that Canberrans place on theease within which they can get around thecity. The location of future residentialdevelopment, including new greenfieldsareas, redevelopment and urban renewal willminimise journey times and trip length. Acloser relationship between jobs, services andhomes will also enable more people to usewalking and cycling as an alternative methodof transport that supports a healthy lifestyle.


Sustainable growth of the region

It is the responsibility of the Territory,Commonwealth and NSW Governments, withinput from affected local government areas, todetermine what is the most appropriate andsustainable urban settlement pattern toaccommodate growth in Canberra andsurrounding NSW.

The Spatial Plan of necessity cannot treatCanberra as an island but must also considerthe surrounding NSW region. The StrategicDirection is that the metropolitan structure ofCanberra should be contained, and centredaround the principal business and culturaldistrict, Civic, with a degree of local selfcontainment based on a series of towncentres, including Queanbeyan. To achievethis more compact city structure, a greaterproportion of population growth is planned tobe accommodated within the ACT rather thanassuming it will be taken up by surroundingNSW. This city structure will provide, overtime, the urban concentrations necessary fora more sustainable transport system and for

the efficient provision of infrastructure. Themore compact city form will also ensure alesser impact in terms of resourceconsumption and environmental protection.

The Territory acknowledges that planning forthe areas outside the ACT is the responsibilityof NSW State and Local Governments.However, the cross-border issues relating towater, transport and other service delivery, aswell as the opportunities for improvedeconomic development that the synergisticgrowth of Canberra and its region offers,makes it imperative that a regional approachto managing growth and change is attained.Accordingly, the Territory Government willwork cooperatively to address cross-borderissues, including through the establishment ofa Regional Management Framework andparticipation in the preparation of the Sydney-Canberra Corridor Strategy, with a view toreaching agreements to achieve sustainablemanagement of growth in the region.

The purpose of this section of The Canberra Spatial Plan is to identify the actions that will flowfrom adopting the Strategic Direction for Canberra. It does this by outlining the goals andobjectives to be addressed through the implementation of The Canberra Spatial Plan. It thenoutlines the policy response that underpins the actions to be initiated when The Canberra SpatialPlan is adopted.

4 Achieving The CanberraSpatial Plan goals



OBJECTIVE ~ Provideopportunities for adiverse range of housingfor the full range ofhousehold types andlifestyle preferences

Over time there has been a shifttowards construction of higherdensity dwellings, such astownhouses, apartments andflats. This shift reflects a trendthat has been experienced inmost Australian cities over thelast 10 to 15 years. TheCanberra Spatial Plan enables arange of dwellings to be providedto match household types andlifestyle preferences. Allmembers of a community shouldbe able to access housing thatmeets their needs, includingaccess to public housing. Thus,the provision of stable, secureand affordable housing is acritical element of a moresustainable community.Additional land is also requiredto provide for aged careaccommodation in the shortterm and this trend will continueto increase in the long term.

GOAL Create and maintain a healthy communityHOUSING

Policy response■ The Spatial Plan identifies proposed urban areas within the ACT for future

development to meet projected demand of between 58,000 and 90,000additional dwellings. The residential settlement strategy provides for:

~ Consolidation of development in existing areas, particularly in andadjacent to Civic and town centres and along major transport corridors,through redevelopment and development, using both unused andunderused land. In total approximately 41,500 to 45,000 additionaldwellings can be catered for through consolidation in the Spatial Plan(including 4,500 dwellings within the current urban limits ofQueanbeyan City).

– Continuation of some greenfields, medium and low density developmentin Gungahlin – approximately 28,000 additional dwellings (dependent onthe outcomes of detailed structure planning).

– The Molonglo Valley to become the next residential settlement area, withbetween 12,500 to 20,000 dwellings (dependent on the outcomes ofdetailed urban suitability assessment and structure planning).

– The Kowen Plateau to be a long term (at least 15-20 years) urbansettlement area, depending on the level of population growth – up to8,000 dwellings could be provided by 2032, with a total capacity of up to26,000 dwellings to be made available (dependent on the outcomes ofdetailed structure planning).

■ Overall, housing choice will be achieved through a mix of residential releasesbalanced between greenfields development, redevelopment and developmentwithin existing urban areas. Such a mix will reflect the projected demand formedium to higher density dwellings due to changing householdcharacteristics.

■ To protect the character and amenity of existing suburban areas of the ACT,residential redevelopment will be strategically directed to locations which willcontribute to overall levels of accessibility to facilities and services and reducedependency on vehicle use. In the short to medium term, this will meanfurther opportunities for redevelopment will be primarily within Civic, theNorthbourne Avenue corridor, Constitution Avenue, the town centres ofBelconnen, Gungahlin and Woden and around key nodes including Kingston,Dickson, Barton and Russell.

■ The principle of the life cycle neighbourhood is adopted so that housing for theageing population can be provided in the best locations to meet the diverseneeds of the community. This will be particularly relevant within establishedareas so that people can remain living in their familiar environment close toexisting social networks, that is, to enable ‘ageing in place’.

■ Greenfields development and major redevelopment and urban renewalprojects will ensure opportunities for a range of housing to provide for lifecycle ageing in place, including housing for families, adaptable housing, olderpersons accommodation and affordable housing for young people and socialhousing (public and community housing) in appropriate locations with highlevels of accessibility to services and public transport.

■ Within non-urban areas, residential development (villages and ruralsettlements) and other institutional and tourism related uses, will only beconsidered where sustainability principles can be met, including:

– sufficient water resources are available;

– acceptable bushfire risk;

– acceptable effluent and water management;

– equitable and timely access to facilities and services are available withoutundue cost; and

– efficient and cost effective provision of infrastructure.


Actions■ Timely release of land to meet the predicted demand for medium and low density

housing choices within greenfields areas. This will occur simultaneously with thecompletion of areas committed for residential development in Gungahlin and ashift towards higher density urban form within the existing urban areas facilitatedby release of additional sites in Civic and other key locations.

■ In the short term the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Territory Plan’sresidential policies to meet housing demand and housing choice will be evaluated.

■ Work with the NSW Government on regional planning, including input to theSydney-Canberra Corridor Strategy.

■ In the short term, the ACT Government will work with the National Capital Authoritytowards an amendment to the Metropolitan Structure Plan in the National CapitalPlan to include the Molonglo Valley and the Kowen Plateau as future urban areas.

■ A joint study between the ACT Government and the National Capital Authority willdetermine the areas suitable for urban development in the Molonglo Valley. Thisinvestigation will inform a joint amendment to the National Capital Plan andvariation to the Territory Plan. It will also inform the preparation of documentationfor environmental impact assessment and other statutory requirements before thedevelopment can proceed. The policy variations where appropriate will becompleted by 2006 to allow development to commence by 2007/2008.

■ In the medium term, detailed structure planning will determine the urban form andstructure for the Kowen Plateau.

■ Master planning will identify the suitability of other potential residentialdevelopment areas identified for residential intensification. Investigations willensure these areas are consistent with sustainable planning principles, includingproximity to existing infrastructure, proximity to transport services, environmentalconstraints and proximity to services and facilities.

■ Introduce lease and development controls on selected sites to ensure a minimumprovision of affordable housing.

■ The land release program will be reviewed and managed to ensure supply keepsup with the demand to achieve sustainable provision of affordable housing.

■ Residential planning policies will be reviewed to address the need for small scaleresidential development within existing suburbs to provide affordable andadaptable housing and allow ageing in place.

■ Planning policies will be reviewed to ensure sufficient flexibility to cater for theincreased trend towards home-based care and supported accommodation.

■ Housing preferences (price, dwelling type and location) and needs of the ageingpopulation will be monitored to identify the appropriate mix of housing. Land andplanning controls will be put in place to facilitate the required mix.

■ The minimum requirements for the provision of accessible and adaptable housingwill be progressively increased through planning and building legislation andregulation.

■ Adaptable housing standards will be adopted in various government land releasesso that the range of housing needs of an ageing population can be met.

■ Further investigations will be undertaken to determine whether Uriarra, PiercesCreek and Stromlo settlements can be rebuilt as sustainable rural villagesconsistent with the recommendations of Shaping Our Territory. If sustainability isdemonstrated the villages will be rebuilt.

Outcomes

■ Dwelling demand for the full range ofhousehold types met.

■ Adequate choice of housing type and locationprovided.

■ Adequate and affordable housing and publichousing available in accessible locationsthrough the urban areas.

■ Adequate adaptable housing for the disabledand aged.

■ Representative mix of demographics (includingage profile) in each suburb or neighbourhoodthroughout Canberra.

Monitoring indicators

■ The total number of new dwellings within7.5 kilometres radius of the city centre aspercentage of total new dwellings.

■ The total number of new dwellings within the15 kilometre radius of the city centre aspercentage of total new dwellings in ACT andin ACT sub-region.

■ The net migration gain or loss of population inthe ACT.

■ Housing affordability indicator.

■ House price to income ratio.

■ Affordable housing as a proportion of totalhousing.

■ Proportion of affordable housing close totransport and employment opportunities andservices.

■ The number of adaptable and accessibledevelopments per capita.


OBJECTIVE ~ Facilitate theequitable distribution ofservices and facilities,including education and healthcare, arts and recreationalfacilities

Canberrans have traditionally enjoyedgood access to services and facilities,such as schools and health services(including hospitals and child care),sport and recreation facilities,community facilities and religious andcultural facilities.

As the ACT’s population ages there willbe increased and changing demands forhealth services and facilities. A keytrend is the move to more community-based health care facilities and services,within established and new urban areasof the ACT. Also, the ageing populationin the ACT will affect the schoolenrolment levels, leading to decliningenrolment numbers in some schools.The Economic White Paper includesstrategies to improve the quality andrange of education options within theTerritory and strengthen partnershipsbetween educational institutions andindustry, which the Spatial Plan seeks tosupport through a range of initiatives.The Social Plan has a strong emphasison supporting the disadvantaged in ourcommunity and ensuring children havethe best opportunities to learn andbecome successful members of thecommunity. The Spatial Plan supportsthese objectives.

SERVICES AND FACILITIES

Policy response

■ Planning for community services and facilities will be based onthe need to:

~ retain flexibility to respond to emerging needs and changingconditions;

~ determine needs and priorities of the local population aspeople move into areas;

~ foster cooperative commitment amongst service providers; and

~ adapt solutions to local circumstances and priorities.

■ All new greenfields areas and redevelopment and urban renewalsites will have access to the range of services, facilities andinfrastructure required to meet the needs of the communities,including telecommunications. The monitoring and refining ofpopulation forecasts as population growth occurs will be integralto this planning. The urban settlement pattern will ensure thatnew residential areas maximise the use of and access to existingcommunity facilities and services.

■ Residential areas will be located close to existing services,infrastructure and facilities to facilitate improved efficiency ofurban infrastructure.

■ New greenfield development areas will be carefully managed toensure these communities are provided with services and otherfacilities as early as possible.

■ Schools will be provided in new settlement areas. Theimplementation strategy for the Spatial Plan will ensure thatthresholds for facilities are reached in a timely manner soresidents have equitable access to educational facilities. Thesequence of development and the provision of infrastructure willbe programmed so that maximum efficiency of the schoolsinfrastructure provided in these areas will be achieved.

■ Flexibility in the use of sites and facilities for health care andother community services will be encouraged so that changingneeds can be quickly and efficiently accommodated.

■ Well located sites will be provided in new urban areas to cater forthe anticipated range of community health care and other facilityneeds.

GOAL Create and maintain a healthy community


Actions■ Consultation and liaison will continue with Government

agencies, service providers and peak community andindustry groups to ensure that adequate and appropriatecommunity services sites and relevant infrastructure areprovided and maintained within the ACT, both withinexisting areas and proposed new areas. This includesensuring appropriate location of schools, colleges, childcare centres, health facilities and other communityservices.

■ Detailed structure planning will address the need foreducational facilities, health care services and facilitieswithin new urban areas, including ensuring services andfacilities are provided during stages of development tomeet community needs in new areas.

■ Assess the need for additional arts, cultural andcommunity facilities within Civic and the town centres.

Outcomes

■ Accessibility of community, recreation andcultural facilities and activities.

■ Accessibility of health facilities and services.


■ The average frequency of public transportservices to health, education, community andrecreation facilities.

■ The average distance users travel to accesshealth, education, community and recreationfacilities.

■ The number of students in previously decliningschool catchments.

■ Occupancy of schools as a ratio of physicalcapacity.

■ Waiting lists for schools, educational facilitiesand child care centres.


OBJECTIVE ~ Maximise safety and perceptionsof safety within the community

Significant social, environmental and economic losses canresult from natural hazards. In the ACT, planning needs torespond to the risk of bush fires, floods, severe storms andhigh winds. Each has different requirements for riskmitigation. Land use planning can effectively reduce therisk from natural hazards and guide the appropriatemanagement of such areas.

Bushfires

Following the bushfires of January 2003, The Inquiry intothe Operational Response to the January 2003 Bushfires inthe ACT (McLeod Report) made a number ofrecommendations about planning principles to minimiserisk of fire hazard, including identifying the need toundertake further investigations into a Bushfire AbatementZone, bushfire protection planning principles anddeclaration of a Bushfire Prone Area.

Current treatments, physical design standards andguidelines, and management approaches for Canberra’surban edge, including planned future residential areas havebeen further investigated. A broadscale fire hazardassessment has been undertaken to determine the level ofbushfire risk across the ACT and whether any areas in theACT need to be declared as bushfire prone areas.

The Canberra Spatial Plan defines a Bushfire AbatementZone based on the Strategic Direction for the city’s growthMap 9 (Bushfire Abatement Zone). The objective of theabatement area is to limit the fire fuels thus reducing thepotential hazard.

Other hazards

Urban development is designed to be protected from theimpacts of flood events, generally up to the 100 yearAverage Recurrence Interval (100 year ARI). Thisprotection is provided by the construction of drainagesystems including floodways, piped drainage systems,retarding basins, lakes and ponds, and the retention ofvegetation within catchments.

Other natural hazards for the ACT include severe stormsand strong winds which have the potential to affect a largenumber of dwellings.

There are utilities that are required to support the functionof the city, including refuse areas, quarries, recyclingstations and sewage treatment plants. These have thepotential to impact on human health and safety and generalamenity and wellbeing. Due to this potential hazard to thecommunity, buffer areas are required around these publicutilities.

SAFETY

Policy response

■ The Bushfire Abatement Zone (Map 9 –Bushfire Abatement Zone) will mitigate therisk of bushfire hazards to life and propertywithin metropolitan Canberra. Fuelmanagement within this zone will be sitespecific to respond to the threat andconserve the landscape qualities of the"bush capital". The Bushfire AbatementZone has been defined relating to bothexisting urban areas and future urban areas.

■ The Bushfire Prone Area will be declared forthe ACT’s non-urban areas to ensure fire riskis assessed and appropriate buildingstandards are applied under the BuildingCode of Australia.

■ Bushfire risk mitigation measures will bebuilt into the design of all new developmentareas.

■ Urban development will not be permitted inareas that are at high risk of major naturalhazards.

■ To ensure safety to the public and minimisehealth and amenity impacts from utilitiesrequired as a part of the urbaninfrastructure, utility buffer areas have beenincluded (Map 11 – Clearance Zones).



Actions■ A Bushfire Abatement Zone has been defined and

principles for land planning, including land userestrictions and performance measures for fire hazardreduction will be implemented. These will be adoptedby ACTPLA and the relevant land managers.

■ The Bushfire Prone Area will be declared and sitespecific assessments will be required for proposedresidential buildings in accordance with the BuildingCode of Australia.

■ The investigations undertaken as a part of the detailedplanning for new greenfields residential areas willcontinue to consider the potential fire, storm and floodhazards.

■ Careful planning and management is required to ensurethe vegetation in the Molonglo Gorge does not act as anunacceptable fire risk.

■ Careful planning of Kowen Plateau and implementationof fuel management strategies will ensure that thewestern facing escarpment does not present anunacceptable danger to development on the plateau andbeyond.

Outcomes

■ Minimise the risk to the community frombushfires.

■ Minimise the risk to the community from floodsand other natural hazards.

■ Minimise the risk to the community from healthand amenity impacts associated with humaninfrastructure.


■ The land managed for fuel reduction in theBushfire Abatement Zone.

■ The annual cost of property damaged by fire.

■ The annual cost of property damaged by aflood event or other natural hazard.

■ Health of population as affected by emissionsfrom human infrastructure.


OBJECTIVE ~ Facilitate anenvironment that providesshared access to public spaceand promotes healthy activities

Canberrans enjoy a high quality openspace network that is valued as arecreational resource, and for its visualamenity and environmental values.Canberrans are also well served throughthe provision of a range of recreationalfacilities. Access to open space andrecreation areas is highly valued by thecommunity and encourages physicalactivity.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Policy response

■ Recreation facilities and spaces will be provided as part of theurban development in the Molonglo Valley and the Kowen Plateauas well as in Gungahlin. This includes the recreationalopportunities identified for the Stromlo/Deek’s Forest Park area.Recreational facilities will contribute to Canberra’s landscapecharacter and sustainable environmental management, includingfor urban stormwater runoff and groundwater recharge.

■ The short term recreational use of areas should not adverselyaffect the potential needs and long term future land uses, such aswhere land is identified as capable of urban development.

■ Residential development will be located in close proximity tomajor recreational areas to encourage use of areas.

■ Recreational opportunities will be equitably distributed throughoutCanberra.



Actions■ Provide a range of formal and informal recreational

activities (such as pathways, walking trails, horse trails,access in forest areas, lakes and rivers, indigenouseducational areas, camping and wildlife/visitor displays)to meet the identified needs of the Canberra communityand visitors.

■ Protect important nature conservation areas from anyadverse effects of recreational activities.

■ Plan for the provision of a range of sports and activerecreation facilities at the local and regional levels acrossthe city.

Outcome

■ Supportive environments for physical activity,passive recreation and entertainmentaccessible to all the community.


■ The proportion of green spaces for recreationlocated within 200 metres from housing.

■ The extent of cycleway and pedestrian paths.

■ Proportion of non-urban areas accessible forrecreational purposes.

■ Annual usage of major recreation facilities.


GOAL Sustain employment opportunitiesECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

OBJECTIVE ~ Facilitate aprosperous city

A range of opportunities are identified inThe Economic White Paper for economicand industry growth for Canberra. Theseinclude building on our competitiveadvantages in research by fosteringclustering of key industries; recognisingthe high quality infrastructure in place,and galvanising a supportive planningsystem to:

■ realise the potential of Civic;

■ develop in key nodes alongcorridors;

■ create a sustainable transportsystem; and

■ retain and attract the best range ofskilled people to the ACT.

Policy response

■ The key characteristics of the city that contribute to economicgrowth will be enhanced. These characteristics include its role asthe national capital and the seat of Federal Parliament, the easeof getting around the city, the safe and clean environment, andthe vibrancy of centres as places of social, cultural and businessexchange.

■ The attractive lifestyle offered by the landscape setting and urbanform will be enhanced, as will the high quality services andinfrastructure currently provided including utilities, transport,telecommunications, and public services and facilities.

■ A range of housing choices will ensure the preferences of tertiarygraduates are met and that the lifestyle qualities that youngerpeople enjoy are enhanced within the ACT.

■ Activity nodes are identified to provide for and encourageeconomic and employment growth that benefits both the ACT andsurrounding NSW.


Actions■ Restrictions on the size and types of development

in Civic and the town centres (including therequirement for preliminary assessments forbuildings over 7,000m2 and the retail moratorium)will be lifted.

■ Land will be released for both residential andcommercial development within Civic and the towncentres as a first priority and other activity nodeswhere demand warrants.

■ The feasibility of limited land release for affordablehousing projects targeted towards young people inand close to the city centre and other significanteducation and employment nodes will beinvestigated. If economic benefits are identified,an implementation strategy will be developed toachieve a range of affordable housing in locationsthat support economic development.

■ An investment strategy will be developed to ensurethat sufficient infrastructure, including information,communication and technology (ICT)infrastructure, is available to all businesses tosupport business growth.

■ Participate in the preparation of the Sydney-Canberra Corridor Strategy to ensure futuredirections for employment growth are reflectedwithin planning for surrounding NSW.

■ Strategic investment in the public realm to addvalue to the overall development of the city andenhance the unique built environment qualities ofCanberra.

Outcomes

■ Vibrant, active and prosperous city centre andtown centres.

■ Visually attractive built form and city layout.

■ Employment growth in the ACT.


■ Public and private capital expenditure onupgrading the public realm per annum.

■ Office and retail vacancy rates in employmentnodes.

■ Proportion of office development in Civic andthe town centres as proportion of total officeemployment.

■ Growth in employment numbers.


OBJECTIVE ~ Facilitate avibrant, robust and culturallystimulating city centre

Griffin’s original plan for Canberraplaced a traditional city centre at theapex of the Parliamentary Triangle.Planning in the 1960s set in placepolicies that distributed employmentmore broadly and encouragedemployment and commercialdevelopment away from Civic as thecentral business district, contributing toa declining city centre. Of even greatersignificance to Civic more recently hasbeen the release and development ofsubstantial office space in Barton,Parkes, Russell and at the airport.Canberra’s central area is therefore notconfigured as a traditional CentralBusiness District (CBD). Employment inthe central area is dispersed, and itscritical mass is diluted by distance andthe physical and visual separationcreated by Lake Burley Griffin.

CITY CENTRE

Policy response

■ Civic will form a strong and stimulating city centre for the ACTand surrounding NSW. This is consistent with, and implements,the recommendations of the OECD report on Canberra’s urbanrenaissance.

■ Support a stronger and more vibrant city centre to attractbusinesses and additional residents by encouraging residentialintensification within Central Canberra, increasing the housingchoice for people wishing to live close to places of work,education, community services and cultural activities.

■ Increase competitiveness of Civic as an employment/commercialcentre by freeing up development controls and releasing moreland for development.

■ Provide opportunities for government departments and the privatesector to locate in Civic.

■ Invest in upgrading the public realm and in strategicinfrastructure to support the development of Civic and make it amore attractive place.

GOAL Sustain employment opportunities


Actions■ Timely release of land in Civic for additional commercial

floorspace and residential development so that demanddoes not divert to other locations.

■ Review the Territory Plan and planning controls for Civicand other centres to achieve more flexible land usecontrols and to remove restrictions that slowdevelopment timelines. This will help ensure that thesecentres can compete successfully with areas outside theplanning control of the ACT Government.

■ Release land in targeted areas to support the clusteringof businesses around existing and newly developingcentres, such as National ICT Australia Limited (NICTA)in Civic.

■ Work collaboratively with the National Capital Authority torationalise planning requirements and processesgenerally, and in Civic in particular.

■ Proceed with a Central Canberra Implementation Program,in close association with the National Capital Authority(with particular reference to the Griffin Legacy project) andother civic leaders, agreeing the approach and prioritiesfor the next stage of development and revitalisation ofCentral Canberra along the following themes:

– access;

– the land use mix;

– investment – private and public;

– environmental leadership;

– promotion and events; and

– exemplary urban design.

Outcomes

■ Vibrant city centre.

■ Employment and residential growth in Civic.

■ Adequate and affordable accommodation forstudents close to tertiary education facilities.


■ The increased number of new dwellings withinCivic, Inner South and Inner North as apercentage of total dwellings.

■ The number of redevelopments in Civic asamount of total floor space in Civic andCanberra.

■ The number of jobs in Civic as proportion oftotal.

■ Office vacancy rate in Civic.

■ Retail turnover in Civic as proportion of total ACT.

■ Tourist visitation to Civic as proportion ofvisitation to Canberra.

■ Total number of visitors to Canberra (businessand tourist).

■ Proportion of affordable dwellings in Civic andCentral Canberra.


OBJECTIVE ~ Support viabletown centres as a focus foreach district

The Y-Plan for Canberra included towncentres in each new district which wouldcontain employment within each districtand thus reduce the journey to work aswell as minimise traffic congestion inCivic. Town centres are generallyeconomically successful and prosperousand this trend will be supported andenhanced through the Spatial Plan.

TOWN CENTRES

Policy response

■ Higher density residential development, and choice of housingtypes within the existing urban areas, predominantly within thetown centres, to provide for people wishing to live close to placesof work, education, community services and cultural activities.

■ Encourage employment growth in the town centres by freeing updevelopment control.

■ Improve the attractiveness of town centres as places to live, workand for recreation.

■ Improve transport links to town centres.



Actions■ Introduce flexible land use controls to allow town centres

to respond to market demand to support their roles ascentres within each district including lifting the retailmoratorium.

■ Further investigate the role and extent of activity nodeswithin the Molonglo Valley and Kowen Plateau futureurban areas as part of the detailed structure planningprocess for these areas.

■ Upgrade transport interchange facilities and pedestrianand cycleway access to and through town centres.

■ Upgrade infrastructure and increase investment in thepublic realm in the town centres.

Outcomes

■ Vibrant town centres.

■ Improved range of services in town centres

■ Employment growth in the town centres.


■ The number of new dwellings developed in ornear town centres as a proportion of total ACT.

■ The number of redevelopments in town centresas a proportion of total floorspace in towncentres.

■ The number of jobs in town centres as aproportion of total ACT.

■ Office and retail vacancy rate in town centres.

■ Proportion of district population accessingservices in own town centre versus othercentres outside the district.


OBJECTIVE ~ Provide flexibleopportunities and appropriatelocations for establishing andgrowing business

Employment location has been centralto the planning of the ACT and is stillimportant to achieving an efficienttransport system, effective governmentinvestment in infrastructure and thelocation of facilities and services andachieving a stronger and more diverseeconomic base for the future of the cityand surrounding NSW. The currenttrends, and availability of land withinthe existing town centres and Civic,indicate that there will be continuedemployment growth within these areas.Over recent years retail trends haveaffected different retail sectors and floorspace locational requirements withinthe ACT. In the retail sector, greaterflexibility and choice in retailing iswarranted in locations appropriate tochanging retail trends.

EMPLOYMENT LOCATION

Policy response

■ Decisions on the location of major employment growth will beguided by principles that will seek to:

– concentrate employment in activity nodes well serviced bypublic transport and supported by a complementary range ofservices;

– each of the activity nodes to accommodate no more than5–10 per cent of total employment in the ACT;

– improve the vitality of Civic;

– reduce commuting time; and

– attract skilled and high-technology industries to the ACT.

■ There will be three major employment corridors that will ensuremaximum use of existing and upgraded transport infrastructureand minimise the journey to work:

– An east-west corridor of activity nodes from Belconnen,through Bruce (including the University of Canberra) and theAustralian National University at Acton, Civic, Russell,Campbell, Barton and Parkes through to Fyshwick, theCanberra International Airport and Queanbeyan. Thiscorridor includes major education institutions, health andsporting facilities and key office employment locations inCivic, and the Central National Area. It also includes thesignificant centre of Fyshwick.

– A primary north-south corridor characterised by a series ofwell connected nodes, from Gungahlin Town Centre,including Mitchell, through to Dickson, Civic, Deakin and theWoden and Tuggeranong Town Centres.

– A second north-south corridor along the Majura and MonaroHighways, from Majura Valley through to Symonston and theJerrabomberra Valley, including the existing Hume industrialarea. This corridor is identified for the growth of industrial,broadacre commercial, tourism, recreation and transportrelated activities when additional land is required (ie, over themedium to long term). This largely industrial area alsointersects with the Canberra International Airport andFyshwick, providing good access to these areas for heavyvehicles without the need to travel through the centre ofCanberra.

■ To encourage a more sustainable urban form, a mix of land useswill be encouraged in areas that have been previously dominatedby single land uses. This will include residential developmentwithin the Barton and Russell areas and along NorthbourneAvenue to complement the employment provided in this area.

■ Opportunities will be provided in a range of locations for premisesof different types, sizes and costs to meet the needs of varioussectors of the economy. This will include in strategic locationsfacilitating co-location of complementary businesses and researchcentres.



Actions■ Sufficient land will be released in Civic to meet demand

for office space and encourage greater employmentgrowth in the central city area.

■ Initiate a variation to the Territory Plan and pursueamendments to the National Capital Plan to ensurethat the three employment corridors reflect theirstrategic role.

■ Develop a retail strategy to provide the necessaryflexibility in retailing within the ACT and reflect changingretail patterns.

■ Further investigations will be undertaken to identify indetail potential land for industrial and relatedemployment purposes in the corridor along the MonaroHighway in Jerrabomberra, Symonston and Majura.

Outcomes

■ Employment growth focused in Civic, towncentres and activity nodes.

■ Maximised clustering effect of similar orcomplementary industries.


■ Office vacancy rates in Civic and the towncentres compared with other activity nodes.

■ Office floor space in Civic and town centres asproportion of total ACT.

■ Retail floorspace in Civic, town centres andactivity nodes as proportion of total retailfloorspace in ACT and Queanbeyan.

■ Changes in industrial floorspace in activitynodes and industrial areas.

■ The number of jobs in Civic and the towncentres as a proportion of total.

■ The number of jobs in each activity noderelative to jobs in the town centres and Civic.

■ Retail vacancies in Civic compared with towncentres.


OBJECTIVE ~ Provide opportunities forkey businesses established in the ACT togrow further

The Canberra International Airport, Mount StromloObservatory and the agricultural and forestryindustries are all recognised as assets for the ACTand surrounding NSW and elements of the localeconomy that provide opportunities for furthergrowth of related businesses.

Canberra International Airport

In order to protect the airport as a significanttransport asset for the region, its operations need tobe unconstrained by the potential limiting effects ofresidential development where airport noise wouldimpact on residents. Conversely, growth at theairport must have regard to the need to protectsignificant biodiversity assets on and around theairport.

The scale and nature of development at the airportprovides employment opportunities not availableelsewhere in the ACT. Planning to ensure that theairport continues to play a major role in this regionas a regional transport hub, bringing new jobs tothe region, is of fundamental importance. NSWareas are also affected by aircraft noise while theeconomic benefits of the airport are also importantto NSW.

PROTECTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

Policy response

■ The Canberra International Airport is recognised ascritical infrastructure for the Canberra region aswell as an employment node within the ACT. TheAircraft Noise Protection Corridor (Map 11 –Clearance zones) identifies areas within the ACTthat are affected significantly by aircraft noise. TheTerritory will not locate any residential developmentwithin these valleys where residents would beadversely impacted by airport noise (the 20 ANEFis the national standard that will be adopted toensure this outcome).

■ Land uses requiring large areas of land which arenot adversely affected by aircraft noise will bedirected to locate within the Aircraft Noise ProtectionCorridor. These uses will include industrial activities,regional recreational and tourist facilities; transportrelated businesses; creative industries (such asstudios); high technology manufacturing and bulkygoods retailing. The suitability of these activities inthis corridor is further enhanced by the ease ofaccess to the regional transport network. Thelocation of these uses in this corridor, rather than inother parts of metropolitan Canberra, will also assistin keeping heavy vehicles out of the Central Areaand the town centres.

Mount Stromlo Observatory

The ACT Government has committed to assistingthe Australian National University (ANU) to re-establish the observatory and its associatedresearch and educational facilities, subsequent totheir destruction in the fires of January 2003.Special consideration has been given to the impactof light pollution as a result of urban developmentin the Molonglo Valley.

Policy response

■ Any development within the defined low light zoneof the Observatory (as shown on Map 11 –Clearance Zones) must be in accordance withacceptable operational requirements of theObservatory.

■ Minimise the night sky impact of light pollutionfrom urban development in Molonglo Valley. Asdevelopment at the same, or higher, altitude as theObservatory significantly increases the amount oflight pollution affecting the Observatory, urbandesign for any such development will ensure lightemissions are within acceptable operationalrequirements of the Observatory. The facilities thatcause the greatest light pollution impacts arelighting for public recreation areas, petrol stationsand street lights. Measures will be taken to reducethe upward spillage of light and adverse impact oflight from these facilities on the Observatory.


Outcome

■ Observatory operations unaffected by lightemissions from urban development.


Actions■ Initiate a variation to the Territory Plan to include the 20

ANEF (Australian Noise Exposure Forecast) as aclearance zone within which residential development willnot be allowed.

■ The ACT Government will enter into detailed discussionswith NSW state and local governments as part of thedevelopment of a Regional Management Framework toensure airport operations are not limited by residentialdevelopment in areas that are likely to be adverselyimpacted by aircraft noise.

■ Further investigations will be undertaken to identify indetail potential land for industrial and relatedemployment purposes around the airport and futurenature reserves.

Outcome

■ Airport continues to grow as a regionaltransport hub.

Monitoring indicator

■ Employment in transport related industrieslocated at the airport as proportion of overallemployment in region.

Actions■ Detailed structure planning and urban design will be

undertaken to ensure that light pollution associated withroad alignments, building elevations, street lighting andthe location of recreation facilities does not adverselyimpact the Observatory. This will include introducingstandards to minimise upward light spillage and theretrofitting of new light fittings in nearby existing suburbs.

■ The impact of light pollution will be minimised withinthose areas included within the low light zone shown onMap 11 – Clearance Zones. This will be considered indetailed structure planning and urban design to ensurethe Observatory is not adversely impacted.

■ Further investigation will be undertaken into lifecyclereplacement of light fittings elsewhere in the Territory toensure low upward spill.

■ Landscape screening will be reintroduced between theObservatory and urban areas, and particular attentionwill be given to the design of Deek’s Forest Park whichsurrounds the Observatory.


■ Number of low pressure sodium vapourluminaries installed within the ACT per annum.

■ Overall artificial light level within MolongloValley and within the defined low light zone.


OBJECTIVE ~ Provide opportunities forkey businesses established in the ACT togrow further

Agricultural and forestry industries are recognisedas assets for the ACT and surrounding NSW andelements of the local economy that provideopportunities for further growth of relatedbusinesses.

Agricultural industry and forestry

The rural lands within the ACT provide a distinctivelandscape setting for the urban areas while therural businesses located in these areas contributeto the local and regional economy. While softwoodplantations close to urban areas will not bereplaced following the January 2003 bushfires,softwood plantations west of the MurrumbidgeeRiver will remain part of the non-urban area of theACT, as will those in the Kowen area until urbandevelopment occurs on the Plateau.

PROTECTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

Policy response

■ The whole of the area west of the Murrumbidgeewill continue to be managed as the key non-urbansetting for the city of Canberra.

■ The non-urban areas of the ACT will continue to beused and managed in a manner that recognisesthe important natural landscape assets such asremnant native vegetation, including woodlands.

■ Agriculture and forestry will be supported in areaswhere sustainability principles are met.



Actions■ Further investigate and identify the range of uses that

would be compatible with, and safeguard, agriculturalindustries including forestry and the landscape setting ofthe national capital.

■ Further investigate the capability, suitability andsustainability of uses within the non-urban areas west ofthe Murrumbidgee River, consistent with theGovernment’s response to Shaping Our Territory.

Outcomes

■ Adequate opportunities for the agriculturalindustry to grow.

■ Retention of substantial agricultural areas aspart of Canberra’s landscape setting.


■ The amount of land (hectares) used foragricultural and forestry purposes.

■ Contribution of agricultural activities (includingforestry) to Gross State Product.


GOAL Retain ease of movement and facilitate good travel connectionsSUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT

OBJECTIVE ~ Establish a moresustainable and responsivetransport system

The Spatial Plan integrates with TheSustainable Transport Plan, which seeksto achieve a more sustainable transportsystem for Canberra over the next 20 to30 years. This is essential to bettersatisfy the economic, social andenvironmental goals of the communitynow and in the future.

The Sustainable Transport Plan willmove Canberra to a transport systemthat retains Canberra’s high levels ofaccessibility, but with lower per capitacosts and less negative impacts. It alsofacilitates a shift of travel from carstowards a greater reliance on walking,cycling and public transport. Such asystem, implemented cost effectively,will provide net benefits throughreduced costs (financial, social andenvironmental) including reducedgreenhouse gas emissions, reduced airand noise pollution, fewer accidentsand higher levels of physical activity.The transport sector is a majorcontributor to ACT greenhouse gasemission profile and successfulimplementation of The SustainableTransport Plan is a critical element ofthe ACT Greenhouse Strategy 2000.

A key to achieving The SustainableTransport Plan is the progressive shifttowards an urban form that supportsshorter trips and encourages people towalk or cycle. The Spatial Plan providesthis urban form. The SustainableTransport Plan encourages improvementof public transport services at activitynodes along key transport corridors.This will support intensification ofdevelopment along these corridors inline with the urban containmentprinciple of the Spatial Plan.

Policy response

■ Concentrating more development and ensuring a greater mix ofland uses in and around Civic, existing town centres and at keyactivity nodes on transport corridors to provide an urban formmore supportive of sustainable transport options.

■ Higher population densities will be located in and around Civicand the town centres and at key nodes along transport corridorsto encourage greater accessibility, including by walking andcycling.

■ A mix of land uses will be encouraged in centres and otheremployment nodes to reduce the need for and length of travel (asshown on Map 5 – Future Residential Areas).

■ Trunk Public Transport Routes will be developed to improvetransit services, including by providing a separate right of way forpublic transport. There will be more intensive land uses aroundstations and at interchanges.

■ Physical activity will be encouraged through the location of newresidential development within walking distance of activity nodes,town centres and the city centre.

■ Frequency, reliability, comfort, safety and security of publictransport will be increased to encourage greater use of thesystem.

■ Improvements to trunk and local cycling and walkinginfrastructure and facilities will support more use of these modes.

■ Measures to encourage the community to use more sustainabletransport particularly walking, cycling and public transport will beintroduced.

■ New greenfields development areas will be oriented around highquality public transport and walking and cycling. These will belinked to existing town centres through transport corridors - forboth public transport and private travel (as shown on Map 8 –Transport Connections).


Actions■ Dedicated trunk public transport routes will be

constructed initially between Gungahlin and City,and Belconnen and City. They will, in the firstinstance, be used by buses, with the potential toconvert to light rail in the longer term.

■ Public transport priority systems and dedicatedpublic transport routes will be provided at the initialstages of development of new greenfield and majorurban renewal sites.

■ Trunk cycle and community path networkimprovements will be provided at the initial stagesof development of new greenfield and major urbanrenewal sites as well as in and connecting to towncentres and Civic.

■ Parking policies will be introduced to minimise theuse of private motor vehicles for commuting.

■ High quality transit stations/interchanges will bedeveloped along the Trunk Public TransportRoutes, and integrated into the town centres andCivic (priority actions are the development of newtransit facilities in Woden and Belconnen).

■ Improvement of public transport services includingintroduction of:

– bus priority measures;

– real-time information systems; and

– demand-responsive feeder services.

Outcomes

■ Reduced need for and length of travel.

■ Increased accessibility for present and futuregenerations.

■ An integrated transport and land use approachto new development and redevelopment areas– transit oriented development.

■ Transport support for urban regeneration andintensification.

■ More active lifestyles and a safer and healthiercommunity.

■ A greater use of walking, cycling and publictransport, with targets of:

– 20 per cent of work trips by 2011 bywalking, cycling and public transport; and

– 30 per cent of work trips by 2026 bywalking, cycling and public transport.

■ Reduced greenhouse gas emissions attributedto the transport sector.


■ The average trip distance of all journeysbetween travel destinations.

■ The average travel time of all journeys.

■ Vehicle kilometres travelled per year per capita.

■ The percentage of jobs in centres held byresidents of the same district.

■ The percentage of trips taken using analternative mode of transport to the car.

■ Public transport patronage as a percentage oftotal journeys.

■ Greenhouse gas emissions attributed to thetransport sector.

Photograph courtesy of Sandy Spears


OBJECTIVE ~ Maintain andenhance the ease of gettingaround

Canberrans currently enjoy a high levelof accessibility. This key element ofCanberra today is retained within theSpatial Plan and is supported by TheSustainable Transport Plan. TheSustainable Transport Plan identifies thebenefits to the community of walkingand cycling as a travel mode. Thishighlights the need to ensure thatcentres and neighbourhoods supportand encourage walking and cycling andthat there are good links betweenwalking and cycling and publictransport.

EASE OF GETTING AROUND

Policy response

■ New arterial roads will be developed in line with growth but aftergiving attention to public transport services to new areas. Inparticular, Gungahlin Drive Extension and Majura Parkway will beprovided as Gungahlin continues to develop.

■ Reduction of through traffic in Civic, Central Canberra and towncentres.

■ The development of the Molonglo Valley will necessitate theupgrading of key routes that serve this area, including links withBelconnen and Weston Creek/Woden and Parkes Way andTuggeranong Parkway.

■ Development on the Kowen Plateau will require new road linksbetween Majura Road and the Plateau.

■ Improvements to pedestrian safety and amenity and improvedcycling and walking access to and around Civic, the town centresand local areas.

■ New greenfields development areas, including the MolongloValley and the Kowen Plateau, will be oriented around highquality public transport and walking and cycling. These will belinked to existing town centres through transport corridors -public transport and roads (as shown on Map 8 – TransportConnections).

GOAL Retain ease of movement and facilitate good travel connections


Actions■ Strategies will be introduced to improve pedestrian and

cycle access and use of Civic and the town centres andresidential areas.

■ Transport corridors will be provided or upgraded whenappropriate to connect urban areas, includingconnecting the new residential areas in Molonglo Valleyand Kowen Plateau to existing employment and servicecentres. Future transport connections are shown onMap 8 – Transport Connections.

■ Detailed structure planning of new greenfields areas willaddress transport connections, including roads, publictransport, walking and cycling.

■ Development of Gungahlin Drive Extension and MajuraParkway to reduce through traffic in Civic and NorthCanberra.

Outcomes

■ Highly accessible city on foot, bicycle and withpublic transport.

■ Easy and quick to get around by privatevehicle.


■ The proportion of residential dwellings locatedwithin a maximum radius of 400 metres from arapid and frequent public transport service andtrunk cycle paths.

■ The percentage of trips taken using analternative mode of transport to the car.

■ Public transport patronage as a percentage oftotal journeys.

■ The amount spent on public transportinfrastructure improvements, including buspriority measures as proportion of totaltransport infrastructure budget.

■ The amount spent on the creation andmaintenance of footpaths or multi-use paths.

■ Average trip time (average time spent travellingeach day).

■ The attractiveness of town centres, commercialcentres and local areas for pedestrian andcyclists.


OBJECTIVE ~ Maximiselinkages and access toservices and employment forthe population of Canberra andsurrounding NSW

OBJECTIVE ~ Minimise traveltime and journey distancebetween urban residentialareas and the main centres ofemployment and services forthe ACT and surrounding NSW

Planning for the sustainable future of theACT and surrounding NSW is bestachieved with the cooperation andcollaboration of all levels of governmentwith an interest in Canberra and itssurrounds. The Canberra Spatial Planprovides a very important context, andan ACT framework, for revised regionalapproaches to planning anddevelopment.

The Spatial Plan accommodates agreater proportion of future growthclose to the core of the metropolitanarea to decrease resource consumptionand environmental impact and helpachieve a more sustainable transportsystem and efficient use ofinfrastructure. The release of moreland for urban development in the ACTwill influence the spatial developmentpattern of surrounding NSW.

REGIONAL LINKAGES AND ACCESS

Policy response

■ The Spatial Plan locates future urban development for the ACT inthe areas that result in the best social, environmental andeconomic outcomes.

■ Planning decisions should, wherever practicable, be made in theinterests of the sustainability of the broader region. Whilerecognising the existence of administrative boundaries, decisionsshould strive to achieve planning outcomes that benefit both theACT and surrounding NSW.

■ Queanbeyan is recognised as part of the urban structure forCanberra, providing important facilities and services as well asaccommodating a significant proportion of the urban population.Planning for the urban growth of Canberra therefore needs to bewell integrated with planning for Queanbeyan.

■ Support the development of Canberra International Airport as aneconomic generator for Canberra and the region.

■ Seek to maintain and enhance rail services between Canberraand Sydney including supporting further investigation andinvestment into the high speed train connection.

GOAL Retain ease of movement and facilitate good travel connections

Actions■ The ACT Government will work closely with the NSW

Government on the issues of regional management anddevelopment. To assist in the implementation of theSpatial Plan a Regional Management Framework will bedeveloped between the governments to ensurecooperative management of critical issues, such as watersupply, urban development programs (including location,sequencing and timing of urban development) andrelated urban infrastructure such as roads. Theframework will take account of the new local governmentboundaries within NSW. The ACT Government will alsoparticipate in the development of the Sydney-CanberraCorridor Strategy.

■ Appropriate development sites will be provided for arange of land uses that meet projected demand withinthe ACT and surrounding NSW. The ACT Governmentwill work with the National Capital Authority, NSW Stateand Local Governments to ensure the development of anurban form that meets the needs of the communities ofthe ACT and NSW.

■ Continued development of the Civic-Queanbeyancorridor will necessitate improved road and publictransport capacity to these areas and restrictions onpublic transport services across the border will beremoved.

Outcomes

■ Enhanced regional linkages – physical,economic and social.

■ Accommodate up to 90 per cent of futuredevelopment of the ACT sub-region within theACT to maximise linkages to services andemployment.


■ Amount spent on transport infrastructure tocreate regional linkages per capita ACT andNSW sub-region.

■ Amount of vacant industrial/commercial landavailable per capita.

■ Growth in employment by location.

■ Average travel distance for journey to work percapita ACT and sub-region.



GOAL Maintain a unique sense of placeTHE NATIONAL CAPITAL

OBJECTIVE ~ SupportCanberra’s role as the nationalcapital

As the national capital, Canberra is thesymbolic heart of Australia. It representsAustralian society, culture and diversity,and the attitudes of the nation. Thebuildings and physical elements of thecity are important to the character of thenational capital, as is the significance ofthe city in the hearts and minds of allAustralians. The landscape setting ofthe ACT has also been a central elementof Canberra’s planning policy,establishing Canberra’s image as the‘bush capital’ and as a garden city.

Policy response

■ Preserve landscape features that give the national capital itscharacter and setting.

■ Key elements of Walter Burley Griffin’s formally adopted plan forCanberra will be respected and reinforced within the proposedurban settlement pattern.

■ Approaches and backdrops to the city and its national institutions(shown on Map 10 – Areas of National Capital Significance) willbe enhanced and strengthened. The Central National Area asdefined by the National Capital Plan will be enhanced andstrengthened with life brought into the area by allowing housing inareas where office employment occurs.

■ Open space between urban areas will be conserved as visualseparation buffers as indicated in the landscape setting.

■ Areas that are identified as the rural setting surrounding the citywill be retained.

■ Key vistas will be retained within new settlement areas.

■ The ‘garden city’ principles will be retained, with urban openspace within districts protected.


Actions■ Preserve the Territory’s bush capital image by

continuing to protect hills, ridges and gullies,watercourses and major water features (includingthe urban lakes) from urban development throughthe National Capital Plan and the Territory Plan.All areas indicated as landscape setting and ruralsetting in the Spatial Plan will be appropriatelyprotected through amendments to the NationalCapital Plan and variations to the Territory Plan.

■ Working with the National Capital Authority, theTerritory will limit any undesirable effects of urbangrowth and change on key elements of the nationalcapital and of Walter Burley Griffin’s plan.

■ Working with the National Capital Authority, theTerritory will identify any required amendments tothe National Capital Plan to allow mixed land usesin the Central National Area so that residentialdevelopment can occur in appropriate locationsadjacent to, and within, major employment areas.

■ Create a clear sense of arrival into the Territoryfrom the major approach routes, including thegateway through Majura Road. Clear entrystatements will be established (the treatment ofwhich will need to be determined). The city’sapproach routes will be protected, including thoseoutside the ACT borders, as far as possible frominappropriate ad hoc development by providingenough development opportunities in moreappropriate locations to satisfy market demand andthrough agreements with NSW State and LocalGovernments.

Outcomes

■ Unique national capital elements protectedwhile enabling growth and change.

■ The bush capital image preserved.

■ The ‘garden city’ principles retained.

■ Hills, ridges and gullies protected as part of thelandscape setting of Canberra.

■ Entry into the national capital more clearlymarked.


■ Hectares of hills, ridges and gullies managedas open space.

■ Number of people living in the Central NationalArea.

■ Feedback from Canberrans and visitors aboutthe importance of Canberra as the nationalcapital (particularly through National CapitalAuthority surveys).

Photograph by Alan Benson


OBJECTIVE ~ Retain andstrengthen the open spacenetwork, including the hills,ridges, natural watercoursesand gullies

The open space network is afundamental part of the city’s amenity,being the ‘seeing space’ of theimmediate landscape setting for whichCanberra is internationally renowned.

OPEN SPACE

Policy response

■ The hills, ridges, waterways, major water features and gullies willbe retained as the landscape setting.

■ There will be no additional urban development on hilltops andsteeply sloping ridges.

GOAL Maintain a unique sense of place

65

Actions■ Landscape and visual assessments of proposed

greenfield development areas in the Molonglo Valley andthe Kowen Plateau will be undertaken as a part of thedetailed structure planning process. This will includeidentification of any key vistas that should be retained.

■ The landscape setting areas shown on Map 1 –The Canberra Spatial Plan - Strategic Direction will bepredominantly protected as the landscape setting for thecity (hills, ridges and gullies) through amendment to theNational Capital Plan and variations to the Territory Planwhere protection is not currently in place.

■ The recommendations of Shaping Our Territory will beimplemented to increase access to important openspace and recreation areas.

Outcomes

■ Preserved and enhanced open space networks.

■ Access to, and enjoyment of, open spaceareas.

■ Retention of bush capital setting.


■ Change in hectares of land designated asurban open space.

■ Change in hectares of land designated as hills,ridges and buffer areas.

■ Change in hectares of land designated asmountains and bushland.

■ Change in hectares of land designated as rivercorridors.

■ Feedback from Canberrans and visitors abouttheir enjoyment of the open space networks inCanberra.



OBJECTIVE ~ Recognise theimportance of cultural andnatural heritage

The ACT has a rich natural and culturalheritage encompassing both Indigenousand European cultural values. Thisheritage is an integral part of the urbanand rural fabric of Canberra. Pastplanning has created a national capitalcity of international renown. Placesalready identified as having heritagesignificance are protected in theHeritage Places Register.

CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE

Policy response

■ All greenfields development and redevelopment and urbanrenewal projects will acknowledge cultural and natural heritagesites of Indigenous and European significance.

■ The outcomes of the Griffin Legacy project by the National CapitalAuthority will inform the future planning and development ofCentral Canberra.



Actions■ Comprehensive heritage surveys will be undertaken in

future urban areas identified in the Spatial Plan, initiallyfor the Molonglo Valley area, followed by the KowenPlateau. There will also be studies of major urbanrenewal sites.

■ The development approval system will continue toconsider heritage issues and ensure the protection ofheritage values. Future development will be sympatheticand complementary.

■ Proceed with a Central Canberra ImplementationProgram, in close association with the National CapitalAuthority (with particular reference to the Griffin Legacyproject) and other civic leaders, agreeing the approachand priorities for the next stage of development andrevitalisation of Central Canberra along the followingthemes:

– access;

– the land use mix;

– investment – private and public;

– environmental leadership;

– promotion and events; and

– exemplary urban design.

Outcomes

■ The heritage register truly represents andprotects the diverse nature of ACT heritage.

■ The Indigenous community is fully engaged inthe identification and protection of Indigenoussites of significance.

■ Critical elements of Walter Burley Griffin’s planfor Canberra will be protected andimplemented.


■ Proportion of identified heritage placesprotected in the ACT Heritage Places Register.

■ Proportion of Griffin plan completed.


OBJECTIVE ~ Facilitate a highquality built environment

Good urban design enriches theexperience of the city, creates a uniquesense of place and has the capacity toadd to the community’s cultural andeconomic well being. The value andsignificance of committing to urbandesign is recognised and urban designstrategies and detailed design policieswill be developed to enhance theperformance of the urban environment,including the quality urban architectureand the environmental design of newsubdivisions.

HIGH QUALITY BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Policy response

■ Invest strategically in the public realm to add value to the overalldevelopment of the city and enhance the unique landscapequalities of Canberra.

■ Encourage high quality urban design in all areas of the cityincluding greenfield development, urban consolidation andrenewal sites.



Actions■ Invest in public realm improvements.

■ Develop policies that clearly articulate the character andquality of the built and landscape form.

■ Develop strategies that define key areas forimprovements and facilitate the implementation of theseimprovements.

■ Establish an ACT Urban Design Charter.

■ Prepare design guidelines for new subdivisions.

Outcomes

■ High standards of urban design throughout thecity.

■ Enhanced amenity and environmentalperformance of urban areas.

■ The community feels safe, has pride in andenjoys the experience of living and working inCanberra’s urban environment.

■ Investment is attracted to Civic and towncentres.


■ Urban design awards.

■ Investment and employment in Civic and towncentres.

■ Community satisfaction with quality of newurban development.


GOAL Respect the natural environmentRESOURCE USE

OBJECTIVE ~ Create andestablish a built form and citylayout that minimises resourceconsumption, including waterand energy use

Water use

Water resource management is a keyissue for the ACT, with Think water, actwater: a draft strategy for sustainablewater resources management (2003)providing a framework for managing,using and conserving the waterresources of the region. The SpatialPlan encourages a built form thatminimises the consumption of water toassist in improving water resourcemanagement.

Policy response

■ Total growth in the ACT and surrounding NSW will be limited bythe capacity to provide potable water.

■ Innovative ways to ensure an environmentally sustainable securewater supply to provide for the population growth associated withachieving sustainable economic wellbeing for Canberra will beadopted. A new source of potable water supply will be providedfor the ACT when required and after consideration of alternatives.

■ The location, amount and rate of land released will be linked toavailability of a sustainable new source of water supply.

■ Within greenfields development and urban renewal sites,appropriate water sensitive urban design principles will beadopted to ensure stormwater use, greywater reuse and effluenttreatment and reuse.

■ Future greenfields development will incorporate water sensitiveurban design principles.

■ The residential settlement strategy of the Spatial Plan reflects thebroad direction for future water supply by containing urbangrowth and encouraging residential intensification.

■ Residential development will continue to occur only in locationsthat do not compromise the security of future water supply.

■ Stormwater and effluent reuse will be increased for existing andnew urban areas.

Non-renewable energy

The Spatial Plan will result in an urbanstructure that encourages moresustainable energy use through thereduced need for private vehicle traveland through residential and commercialdevelopment that will reduce theresource requirements per capita.

Policy response

■ Future urban settlements and urban renewal areas will be locatedto minimise journey times and hence energy use related to travel.

■ All new residential development will meet a five star energyefficiency rating consistent with national standards.

■ New commercial development will be energy efficient.

Outcomes

■ Minimise non-renewable energy use andassociated greenhouse gas emissions andcosts to the community.

Actions■ Planning for an adequate new water supply will be

undertaken with ACTEW in the context of an agreedregional water supply strategy.

■ To assist in the implementation of the Spatial Plan aRegional Management Framework will be developedto ensure cooperative management of critical issues.The ACT Government will also participate in thedevelopment of the Sydney-Canberra CorridorStrategy.

■ Amendments will be made to the sustainabledevelopment design guidelines to ensure newdevelopments and redevelopments meet appropriatewater sensitive urban design standards, including for:

– the reduced consumption of potable water; and

– the use of alternative water sources, includingrainwater, greywater and treated effluent.

■ Education and partnership programs will encouragethe incorporation of water sensitive urban designprinciples into existing developments.

■ Strategies will be developed to encourage retrofittingof existing dwellings, buildings and landscapes toencourage more effective water use.

■ Regulations requiring water efficiency measures willbe considered.

■ Where it is economically sensible and suitable theuse of water reclaimed from the sewerage systemwill be incorporated into developments as analternative to potable water for non-potable uses.

Outcomes

■ Minimise water use.

■ Minimise the consumption of potable water fornon-potable uses.

■ Provide secure water supply for the populationof the ACT.


■ The annual per capita potable water usage.

■ The annual total water usage in relation tosustainable yield.

■ Potable water used in public and private openspace areas and gardens.

■ Amount of effluent and stormwater reuse.

Actions■ Further investigation into the following issues will be

undertaken in association with the Commonwealthand State Governments:

– building type and energy use, includingembodied energy; and

– energy use in travel.

■ Subsequently, a system will be established to raisethe minimum sustainability performance of buildings(for example, requiring energy and water savingfeatures and stormwater runoff reduction). Thesystem, which will be enforced through statutoryquantitative requirements, will assist commercial andresidential developers and home owners to providemore sustainable housing and commercial premises.It is likely to include rewards for those providing thehighest levels of sustainable development.

■ Working with the Australian Building Codes Board,further investigate the introduction of Green Star –the energy efficiency rating methodology developedby the Green Building Council of Australia forcommercial and multi-storey residential buildings.

■ Support the use of renewable energy.


■ The annual per capita energy usage of non-renewable energy.

■ The proportion of renewable energy usecompared with non-renewable energy use.

■ The proportion of commercial buildings with ahigher than average rating for energy efficiency(such as Green Star).



OBJECTIVE ~ Protect andenhance biodiversity throughnature reserves andmaintaining connectivitybetween them

The natural habitats of the ACT are apart of the region’s ecological resources.As development pressures are exerted inthe ACT and surrounding areas, thesenatural habitats need to be protected.Nature conservation priorities alreadyidentified include native grassland andhabitat for threatened lizards and otherspecies in the Majura andJerrabomberra valleys, woodlandsaround Gungahlin, at Symonston, Humeand west of Stromlo, and the MolongloRiver corridor. There is scope forwoodland restoration projects in the non-urban parts of the ACT. Map 7 –Biodiversity Conservation shows the keynature conservation areas and wildlifecorridors that will be protected under theSpatial Plan.

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Policy response

■ The Spatial Plan supports the initiatives of the Woodlands forWildlife: ACT Lowland Woodland Conservation Strategy and thePlanning Framework for Natural Ecosystems of the ACT and NSWSouthern Tablelands. It identifies for protection the full range ofnatural ecosystems found in the ACT, including native grasslandsand Yellow Box-Red Gum grassy woodland, and wildlife corridorsthat provide connectivity and linkages between key natureconservation areas.

■ The areas identified as having significant biodiversity values dueto the existence of threatened species, ecological communitiesand habitat for threatened species will be included in natureconservation areas.

■ The major river corridors, the urban hills and ridges, and the hillsand reserves east and north of Gungahlin that create the mainlinks for wildlife movement and connect into natural areas southand west of the Murrumbidgee River will be protected as wildlifecorridors. At a smaller scale the numerous parks, waterways andlandscape features in the urban area that provide links betweenprivate gardens and nearby bushland areas will also berecognised in planning policy.

■ Development in the new employment corridor in Majura,Symonston and Jerrabomberra, including around the airport, willtake into account the areas of native grassland and habitat forthreatened species that are of significant nature conservationvalue.

■ In the Molonglo Valley, environmentally sensitive areas of theMolonglo River corridor will be protected from the adverseimpacts of the development.

■ Those areas included in the rural setting, as shown on Map 1 andwhich have biodiversity values, such as Yellow Box–Red Gum, willalso be managed for conservation purposes.

■ Conservation strategies for endangered ecological communitiesand threatened species will inform:

– the priorities for conservation, including those mostfundamental to achieving National and Territory conservationgoals; and

– species that require special protective measures.

GOAL Respect the natural environment

Actions■ Further detailed investigations and structure planning for

new greenfields areas and other urban developmentareas will include addressing requirements forenvironmental impact assessments, including assessingthe biodiversity values of identified sites.

■ Initiate a Territory Plan variation to ensure wildlifecorridors are maintained primarily for wildlife movement.

Outcomes

■ Key nature conservation assets and threatenedspecies and ecological communities protectedin nature reserves.

■ A system of wildlife corridors to connect naturereserves developed and maintained.

■ Protection of sensitive natural environments.


■ Hectares of threatened species habitats andecological communities and other naturalassets protected in nature reserves or undersimilar secure management as proportion ofthe total area of the ACT.

■ Proportion of large, medium or small fragmentsof native vegetation with corridor connections.

■ Proportion and area (hectares) of eachecological community protected in naturereserves.



OBJECTIVE ~ Maintain waterquality and availability

Water resources management is a keysustainability issue that will influence thetype and extent of future developmentwithin the ACT and surrounding NSW.Think water, act water: a draft strategyfor sustainable water resourcesmanagement (2003) provides the broaddirection, targets and objectives for themanagement of ACT water resources.

WATER QUALITY

Policy response

■ The Spatial Plan supports the initiatives of the ACT water strategyin that it proposes an urban form and structure that ensuresexisting and possible future potable water catchment areas areprotected.

■ Urban areas are designed and managed to protect water qualityin the receiving waters of the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee Riversand ultimately the Murray–Darling River system.

■ The ACT is committed to working with NSW State and LocalGovernments to ensure coordinated land use on both sides of theACT border which encourage sustainable development andcatchment protection.



Actions■ To assist in the implementation of the Spatial Plan a

Regional Management Framework will be developed toensure cooperative management of critical issues. TheACT Government will also participate in the developmentof the Sydney-Canberra Corridor Strategy.

■ Amendments will be made to the sustainabledevelopment design guidelines to ensure that newdevelopments and redevelopment meet water sensitiveurban design standards, including for:

– improved stormwater runoff quality; and

– reduced peak flow and volumes of urban stormwaterrunoff.

■ Any development in the Molonglo Valley will introducewater quality management approaches which treat thestormwater currently flowing from the Weston Creek andWoden catchment areas as well as from the new urbandevelopment areas.

Outcomes

■ The water quality in ACT rivers, lakes andaquifers protected to maintain and enhanceenvironmental, amenity, recreational anddesignated use values and the health of peoplein the ACT and downstream.

■ Rivers and streams maintained in a conditionthat supports threatened fish and riparianhabitats.


■ The quality of water leaving the ACT incomparison with water entering the ACT.

■ The quality of groundwater in relation to theextent and severity of pollution.

■ The quality of groundwater in relation to extentand severity of salinity.

■ The number of water quality monitoring sitesfor which water quality has been assessed asgood, moderate and poor compared withstandards.

■ Proportion of length of rivers and streams thatsupport:

– threatened fish, and

– native vegetation.


OBJECTIVE ~ Maintain airquality

The ACT Greenhouse Strategy 2000addresses greenhouse gas emissionissues. Environmental protectionmeasures, managed throughEnvironment ACT, seek to reduceatmospheric pollution.

AIR QUALITY

Policy response

■ The Spatial Plan supports the initiatives of the ACT GreenhouseStrategy 2000 and reduction in air pollution in that it proposes anurban form and structure that:

– minimises car use by reducing total travel distances;

– encourages alternatives travel modes such as walking, cyclingand public transport;

– encourages more efficient commercial building stock byproviding opportunities for new commercial development toreplace older and less energy efficient buildings; and

– encourages decreased residential energy use through higherdensity housing and more efficient lower density housing.

■ Planning policies and regulations will continue to controlatmospheric pollutants, including those generated through wood-fired heaters.



Actions■ Release land for the development of energy efficient

dwellings within and adjacent to existing town centresand Civic, through urban renewal and increasedresidential densities.

■ Release land for the development of new, more energyefficient commercial buildings, especially in Civic wherethe largest proportion of older commercial building stockremains.

■ Introduce an energy efficiency rating system forcommercial building consistent with national standardsbased on Green Star.

■ Progressively increase education incentives andregulations to control air pollution, especially thosegenerated through wood-fired heaters.

Outcomes

■ The air quality of the ACT maintained.

■ Decreased greenhouse gas emissions per yearper capita.

■ Less greenhouse gas emissions and othernegative external impacts from private car use.


■ Greenhouse gas emissions per year (transport).

■ Number of ACT households connected to gasas percentage of all households.

■ Total fuel consumption in the ACT.

■ Amount of pollutant particles in air.


GOAL Ensure fiscal responsibilityREGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION

OBJECTIVE ~ Facilitate theprovision of physical, socialand cultural infrastructure in acoordinated and cost effectivemanner

The ACT and surrounding NSWgovernments should enable andencourage economic and employmentgrowth that provides for regional benefitsand acknowledges the value of keyregional infrastructure.

Policy response

■ Infrastructure will be provided to correspond with land releaseand development to meet the projected demand for additionaldwellings.

■ Infrastructure will be provided to facilitate and support effectivegrowth of employment centres.

■ The outward spread of the city will be contained. This will help toensure that existing ACT school sites, health care sites and otherfacilities are used to maximum efficiency, and that existingfacilities can continue to operate efficiently.


Actions■ ACT to work cooperatively with Commonwealth,

NSW and local governments to achieve planningoutcomes that ensure residents have appropriateaccess to services and infrastructure across theACT and surrounding NSW.

■ Development of a Regional ManagementFramework between ACT and NSW Governmentsto ensure cooperative management of criticalissues, such as water supply, urban developmentprograms, including location, sequencing andtiming of urban development and related urbaninfrastructure such as roads.

■ Participate in the development of the Sydney-Canberra Corridor Strategy.

■ Development and redevelopment sites withinexisting urban areas will be identified and plannedto ensure a full range of housing types is providedto maximise the efficient use of existing socialinfrastructure.

■ An investment strategy will be developed to ensurethat infrastructure is provided in a coordinated andefficient manner.

Outcomes

■ Agreed delivery program including funding forservices and infrastructure across all levels ofgovernment in the ACT and surrounding NSW.

■ Efficient use of existing school and otherexisting services and facilities.


■ Per capita expenditure on capital worksprogram for new and upgraded infrastructure.

■ Per capita expenditure on recurrent servicedelivery program.

Photograph courtesy of SMEC


OBJECTIVE ~ Facilitateimproved efficiency of urbaninfrastructure such as transportsystems, water supply,wastewater management,stormwater management,electricity andtelecommunications

The scale of investment from the privatesector reflects confidence within the city.This includes investment in homes,offices, shops and leisure facilitiesthroughout the city. The implementationof the Spatial Plan will support thatinvestment through the supply of keyservices and infrastructure and byencouraging appropriate types ofinvestment into areas of need andopportunity. This investment will also beused to support the priorities of the Plan.Additional residential development withinthe existing urban area will result ininfrastructure being required for:

■ water quality control of stormwaterfor all urban catchments; and

■ upgrading of the measured waterquality within Lake Burley Griffin.

EFFICIENT USE OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Policy response

■ All new greenfields and new redevelopment and urban renewalsites in the ACT will be designed to a high quality, includingprovision of services and facilities and infrastructure, such astelecommunications.

■ All water catchments for potential future water supply will beprotected.

GOAL Ensure fiscal responsibility

Actions■ An investment strategy will be developed to ensure that

new infrastructure including roads, public transport,water supply, sewerage system and telecommunications,provided by governments and the private sector supportskey planning, economic and social justice initiatives. Thiswill also ensure that infrastructure operates to maximumefficiency, in the delivery of information and services tothe community.

■ The planning and installation of infrastructure for newand existing areas will be addressed through furtherinvestigation, structure planning initiatives and theCapital Works Program.

■ In the medium to long term investment in infrastructurefor the construction of Molonglo Valley and KowenPlateau as a residential area, including the installation ofwater, sewer mains and pumps, stormwater systems andtelecommunications.

■ Upgrades of existing water, sewerage and stormwatersystems will be provided to cater for urban renewal sitesin Central Canberra and other locations as they occur.Continued provision will be required to Gungahlin, andupgrades and connections will be provided for theMolonglo Valley and the Kowen Plateau. Sustainablepractices such as water reuse, including recyclinggreywater, stormwater and treated effluent, will beimplemented.

■ New sewage treatment plants will be provided forareas unable to be serviced by the current system,including the Kowen Plateau when needed. The reuseof Lower Molonglo treated sewage will be extended.The Capital Works Program will address andcoordinate the infrastructure requirements toimplement the Spatial Plan.

Outcomes

■ Minimise cost per capita of provision ofinfrastructure.

■ Protection of the water quality of the riverinesystem in the ACT.

■ New infrastructure funded from revenuerelated to land sales.

■ Recurrent costs for infrastructure maintenancecontained to not exceed rates revenue.


■ Cost of infrastructure provision per capita.

■ Revenue received from land sales per capita(per annum).

■ Revenue received from rates per capita(per annum).

■ Revenue received from stamp duty per capita(per annum).

■ Quality of water in rivers and lakes.



The implementation strategy of The Canberra Spatial Plan will use a number of tools andmechanisms over the timeframe of the Plan. This section highlights the key actions necessary toimplement the Strategic Direction for Canberra. Many of these actions are a move away from thecurrent planning policy in the ACT. However, as shown throughout the Plan, Canberra is facingcritical issues and choices and strong planning decisions need to be made to ensure a moresustainable and viable future Canberra.

Implementation frameworkAn implementation framework has been developed to ensure that The Canberra Spatial Plan canbe achieved over the next 30 years. The key interventions of the implementation frameworkinclude:

■ land release;

■ investment in infrastructure;

■ Central Canberra Implementation Program;

■ master plans for urban renewal sites;

■ policy changes to the Territory Plan and the National Capital Plan; and

■ further investigations.

5 Implementing The CanberraSpatial Plan


Higher Density Residential Development

SHORT TERM IMPLEMENTATION

■ Release of land for residential development in Civic.

■ Preparation of master plans for major urban renewal sites inCentral Canberra.

■ Allow flexible development of priority urban renewal sites,particularly for affordable housing projects.

■ Working with the National Capital Authority, identify any requiredamendments to the National Capital Plan to allow mixed land usesin the Central National Area so that residential development canoccur in appropriate locations adjacent to, and within, majoremployment areas.

Implementing the key initiatives of the Spatial PlanA number of actions have been identified to achieve the goals and objectives of the Spatial Planand are outlined in detail in Section 4. The actions related to the implementation of each of thekey initiatives of the Spatial Plan are summarised below.

Higher density residentialdevelopment will be promotedwithin the existing urban area,providing easy access betweenhome and places of work,education, community servicesand cultural activities. Primarilythis increased development willoccur in Civic, along NorthbourneAvenue, Constitution Avenue, inBarton and Kingston and aroundthe town centres with limitedchange to existing suburbanareas. People will enjoy a choiceof housing type and location.

MEDIUM TERM IMPLEMENTATION

■ Progressively require the provision of more adaptable andaccessible housing.

■ Review residential planning policies to address the need for smallscale residential development within existing suburbs foraffordable and adaptable housing.

Future Residential Settlement


■ Working with the National Capital Authority, undertake detailedinvestigations in the Molonglo Valley to determine areas suitablefor residential development.

■ Initiate joint amendment to the National Capital Plan and variationto the Territory Plan to allow for residential development in theMolonglo Valley subject to outcomes of detailed investigations.

■ Review effectiveness and appropriateness of the Territory Plan’sresidential policies to meet housing demand and housing choice.

■ Initiate planning policy amendments for the Kowen Plateau as afuture urban area.

■ Comprehensive heritage survey to be undertaken in the Molonglo Valley.

Future residential settlement willcontinue to take place inGungahlin, and by 2006necessary policy amendments willbe in place to allowcommencement of developmentin the Molonglo Valley by2007/08. If the population of thecity continues to grow beyond thecapacity of these areas, furthersettlement will occur on theKowen Plateau.


■ Urban development of Molonglo Valley.

■ Infrastructure investment in Molonglo Valley, including water quality.

■ Detailed investigation and structure planning of the Kowen Plateauto determine the urban form.

LONG TERM IMPLEMENTATION

■ Investment in infrastructure for the construction of the KowenPlateau as a residential area.

■ Undertake comprehensive heritage survey in the Kowen Plateau.


Strong Dynamic Heart


■ Timely release of land in Civic for additional commercial floorspaceand residential development.

■ Proceed with Central Canberra Implementation Program.

■ Work collaboratively with the National Capital Authority torationalise planning requirements and processes generally, and inCivic in particular.

■ Provide incentives for development in Civic through the planningapprovals process (for example, remove the requirement forpreliminary assessments if proposals are consistent with the landuse policy).

■ Preparation of master plans for major urban renewal sites inCentral Canberra.

■ A review of planning procedures governing the release of land toensure timely and efficient release of additional land in CentralCanberra.

■ Investigate the feasibility of introducing incentives for developmentin Civic (and the town centres).

■ Investigate feasibility of limited land release for affordable housingand student housing projects in, and close to, the city centre andother significant education and employment nodes.

Civic and the central area willform a strong dynamic heart tothe Territory and surroundingNSW – a centre of culture,business, ideas and creativity;retaining and attracting jobs,people and important events.

Employment Growth


■ Release sufficient land in Civic to meet demand for office space.

■ Retail moratorium on town centres removed.

■ Provide incentives for development in Civic through the planningapprovals process (for example, remove the requirement forpreliminary assessments if proposals are consistent with the landuse policy).

■ Amend the National Capital Plan to allow a greater mix of uses inthe Central National Area.

■ Develop an investment strategy to ensure cost effective andefficient provision of infrastructure, including ICT infrastructure, tosupport the growth of Canberra.

■ Participation in the preparation of the Sydney-Canberra CorridorStrategy to ensure future directions for employment growth arereflected within planning for surrounding NSW.

Civic and existing centres will bethe focus of employment growth,with existing corridors ofemployment reinforced byclustering at nodes along thecorridors (additional districtactivity nodes will be located inthe Molonglo Valley and theKowen Plateau as these areasdevelop).


Biodiversity Conservation


■ Identify additional required conservation reserves.

■ Assessment of areas that contribute to the landscape setting toidentify the need for protection through planning variations.

■ Development of new recreational areas and protection of wildlifecorridors in the Molonglo Valley.

■ Detailed investigations for future urban areas will addressrequirements for environmental impact assessments, including thebiodiversity values.

Nature reserves and other landwithin the urban and non-urbanareas, which provide significanthabitats for wildlife, will bemanaged and protected fornature conservation and linked toeach other and the region bycorridors that enable wildlifemovement.


■ Initiate planning amendment to protect landscape setting whereplanning policy not in place.

Future Industrial Growth


■ Initiate a variation to the Territory Plan to ensure that the threeemployment corridors reflect their strategic role.

■ Further investigations to identify in detail potential land forindustrial and related employment purposes in the corridor alongthe Monaro Highway in Jerrabomberra, Symonston and Majura.

Future industrial, broadacre andtransport related employmentgrowth will be accommodatedwithin existing industrial areasand the corridor comprisingMajura and Symonston valleysincluding the Airport and Hume.


■ Initiate variations required to the Territory Plan to continue growthin the Majura-Symonston corridor.


Transport Connections


■ Public transport priority systems and dedicated public transportroutes will be provided at the initial stages of development of newgreenfield and major urban renewal sites.

■ Redevelopment of interchange facilities at Woden and Belconnen.

Major transport connections,including public transport, willlink the town centres to Civic, andlink future urban settlement in theMolonglo Valley and the KowenPlateau into major employmentcorridors; Majura Highway will beupgraded to form part of a criticalregional transport link andtogether with Gungahlin Drive willform the major outer by-passes ofCivic, keeping through trafficaway from the heart of the city.


■ Detailed structure planning of new greenfields areas will addresstransport connections, including roads, public transport, walkingand cycling to encourage less private car usage.

■ Transport corridors will be provided or upgraded when appropriateto connect urban areas (including connecting the new residentialareas in Molonglo Valley and Kowen Plateau) to existingemployment and service centres.

■ Installation of trunk cycle and community path networkimprovements.

■ Changes to parking policies to minimise the use of private motorvehicles for commuting.

■ Dedicated trunk public transport routes constructed betweenGungahlin and Civic, and Belconnen and Civic.

LONG TERM IMPLEMENTATION

■ Introduction of new bus priority measures.

■ Development of high quality transit stations along trunk publictransport routes and integrated into the town centres.

Bushfire Abatement Zone


■ A Bushfire Abatement Zone to be declared through necessaryregulations to guide land management to reduce fuel loads.

■ Introduction of building controls for bushfire prone areas inaccordance with the Building Code of Australia.

■ A Bushfire Prone Area declared over all lands outside the urbanarea, requiring site-specific risk assessment to determine buildingstandards under the Building Code of Australia.

■ Implementation of land planning principles, including land userestrictions and performance measures for fire hazard reduction.

A Bushfire Abatement Zone willbe declared and managed toprotect the city from the possibleimpacts of major bushfire events.


■ Further investigations for new greenfields residential areas willconsider potential risk of major natural hazards, including possiblechanges that may be required to update the Bushfire AbatementZone to reflect the change in land use.

■ Careful planning and management of land use of Kowen Plateauto ensure the western facing escarpment does not present anunacceptable danger to development on the Plateau.


The Rural Setting


■ Further investigate the capability, suitability and sustainability ofland uses within the non-urban areas west of the MurrumbidgeeRiver, consistent with the Government’s response to Shaping OurTerritory.

The non-urban areas that formthe rural setting for the city(outside of nature conservationareas) will be primarily used forsustainable agriculture includingforestry west of theMurrumbidgee River; ruralsettlements will form part of therural setting as they are rebuiltfollowing the 2003 bushfires.

Water


■ Planning for an adequate new water supply undertaken withACTEW in the context of an agreed regional water supply strategy.

■ Amendments to sustainable development design guidelines toensure new developments and redevelopment meet appropriatewater sensitive urban design standards.

The water catchments for theexisting dams supplying water toCanberra and the catchment ofpossible future potable watersupply dams for the ACT and itsregion will be protected from anydevelopment that would adverselyaffect the quality of that water.


■ Consideration of regulations for water efficiency measures.

■ Molonglo Valley development to introduce water quality controlmeasures for the existing metropolitan area.

Areas of National Capital Significance


■ Proceed with a Central Canberra Implementation Program with theNational Capital Authority and others.

The elements that contribute tothe national capital significance ofthe ACT will be preserved. Theseare the Central National Area, thelandscape setting including theNational Capital Open SpaceSystem, major approach routes(along the Barton Highway,Federal Highway, Majura Highwayand Monaro Highway) and theroads connecting them to theCentral National Area.


■ Working with the National Capital Authority, limit any undesirableeffects of growth on key elements of the national capital and ofWalter Burley Griffin’s plan, including reference to therecommendations of the Griffin Legacy project.

■ Create a clear sense of arrival into the Territory from majorapproach routes, by establishing clear entry statements andprotecting the approach routes from inappropriate ad hocdevelopment by providing sufficient development opportunities inmore appropriate locations.


Protecting Opportunities for Employment Growth


■ Initiate a variation to the Territory Plan to include the 20 ANEF(Australian Noise Exposure Forecast) as a clearance zone from theCanberra International Airport within which residentialdevelopment will not be allowed.

■ Further investigations to identify in detail potential land forindustrial and related employment purposes in theMajura–Symonston Valleys.

■ Detailed structure planning and urban design undertaken toensure that light pollution associated with road alignments,building elevations, street lighting and the location of recreationfacilities does not adversely impact Mount Stromlo Observatory.

■ Reintroduction of landscape screening between Mount StomloObservatory and urban areas through the construction of Deek’sForest Park.

Significant assets that contributeto the economic viability of theTerritory will be protected. Theseinclude the Mount StromloObservatory and CanberraInternational Airport. An AircraftNoise Protection Corridor isidentified for the Majura-Symonston Valleys and theTerritory will not locate anyresidential development withinthese valleys where residentswould be adversely impacted byaircraft noise. A low light zone isestablished around MountStromlo Observatory to enable thecontinued operation of this facilityas the Molonglo Valley isdeveloped.


■ Investigate the need to undertake lifecycle replacement of lightfittings within the Territory to ensure low upward light spill to assistthe operations of Mount Stromlo Observatory.

Sustainable Growth for the Region


■ Develop a Regional Management Framework between ACT andNSW State and Local governments to ensure cooperativemanagement of critical issues.

■ Introduction of a code of practice for Water Sensitive UrbanDesign principles.

■ Development of an investment strategy to ensure infrastructureprovided in a coordinated and efficient manner.

■ Detailed structure planning will address the need for communityservices and facilities, including health care and educationfacilities within new urban areas.

■ Amendments to sustainable development design guidelines toincorporate appropriate water sensitive urban design standards.

■ Participate in the preparation of the Sydney-Canberra CorridorStrategy.

Development in the region will beinformed by sustainabilityprinciples, particularly with regardto water, biodiversity conservation,urban form and employmentlocation, transport and servicedelivery.


■ Planning and installation of infrastructure for new and existingareas to be addressed through further investigation, structureplanning initiatives and the Capital Works Program and provisionof services within established and new areas.


ACT AND SUB-REGION PLANNING STRATEGY: Released in 1998, the strategy provides an integratedplanning framework to guide regional development and resource management to a population of560,000 by 2021. It forms the basis for the current intergovernment agreement on urbansettlement in the sub-region.

AUSTRALIAN NOISE EXPOSURE FORECAST (ANEF): A scientific measure of aircraft noise exposurearound aerodromes that is used to assess average community response to aircraft noise.

AVERAGE RECURRENCE INTERVAL (ARI): ARI (measured in years) is a term used to describe floodsize. It is a means of describing how likely a flood is to occur in a given year. For example, a 100year ARI flood is a flood that occurs or is exceeded on average once every 100 years.

BIODIVERSITY: The variability among living organisms from all sources, including land based andaquatic ecosystems, and the ecosystems of which they are part. These include diversity withinspecies, between species, and of ecosystems.

BROWNFIELDS AREA: An area, usually of an industrial nature, which has been built on in the past,and is no longer used.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES: Facilities provided either by government or non-government agencies forthe benefit of, and use of, the community (such as schools, churches, hospitals and theatres).

DWELLING: A building, or portion of a building where people live.

GREENFIELDS AREA: An area that has not previously been developed but is intended to bedeveloped.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS: Emissions into the atmosphere of gases that affect thetemperature and climate of the earth's surface. The main greenhouse gases emitted due tohuman activity are carbon dioxide ( CO2), methane ( CH4) and nitrous oxide ( N2O).

6 Glossary


HIGH DENSITY HOUSING: Over 60 dwellingsper hectare and generally five storeys or morehigh, for example apartment buildings.

HOUSEHOLD: One person or a group of peoplewho usually live in the same dwelling andmake common provision for living essentials.

INFILL: The construction of new buildings onpreviously undeveloped sites within establishedareas but not on public open space.

INTENSIFICATION: The increase of dwellingdensities above that which was therepreviously, including infill and urbanconsolidation.

MEDIUM DENSITY HOUSING: Generallybetween 25 to 60 dwellings per hectare andnot usually more than three or four storeys inheight. Examples are townhouses andterrace housing.

NATIONAL CAPITAL AUTHORITY (NCA): TheNCA is the Commonwealth agencyresponsible for securing the Commonwealth’scontinuing interest in the National Capital. Itsplanning jurisdiction applies throughout theTerritory. It is responsible for works approvalin the Designated Areas. National Capitalaspects of Canberra include elements suchas the inner hills and ridges, main avenuesand approach routes to the city and theCentral National Area.

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLAN: Prepared andadministered by the NCA it establishes abroad framework for land use anddevelopment and its object is to ensure thatCanberra and the Territory are planned anddeveloped in accordance with their nationalsignificance.

SOCIAL HOUSING: Housing provided byGovernment (public housing) and communityorganisations (community housing).

SPRAWL: The generally low density and oftenuncoordinated expansion of urban areas.

TERRITORY PLAN: The ACT’s statutory land useplan, which is made up of the Territory PlanMap and the Written Statement and aims tomanage land use change and developmentwithin the ACT in a manner consistent withstrategic directions and in a way notinconsistent with the National Capital Plan.

URBAN AREA: The interface between thepredominantly urban and non-urban areas atthe edges of the city. It includes both leasedand unleased lands.

URBAN CONSOLIDATION: The increase ofdwelling densities within established areasover and above that which is already therethrough infill or redevelopment of existingbuildings.

URBAN EDGE: The urban edge comprises awide range of both urban and per urbanspaces that include leased and unleased lands.

URBAN INTERFACE: The urban interface is thearea of the urban edge where there is agreatest human use and greatest need forintervention to the landscape to reduce firehazards to protect life and property.

URBAN OPEN SPACE: Areas that are set asidewithin the city boundaries for recreationaluses with unrestricted public access, such asparks, playing fields, landscape buffers andcommunity paths, but does not includeNational Parks or nature reserves.

URBAN RENEWAL: Urban renewal is definedas the revitalisation of established urbanareas to provide for a greater range ofhousing, employment and social activities.

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