The Deakin Residents Association invites residents and interested members of the public to join a second community walk to better understand the potential impacts of Light Rail Stage 2B on the Parliamentary Precinct.

While much public attention has focused on the proposed tunnel and “dog-leg” alignment on the eastern side of Parliament House, other aspects of the current proposal have received far less scrutiny. In particular, there are growing concerns about the proposed State Circle route on the western side of the Parliamentary Precinct.

The walk will include:

• A shorter return route of approximately 1.5 km to the area proposed for traffic lights at the top of Adelaide Avenue and associated tree loss near The Lodge
• An extended walk of approximately 3 km continuing around the Parliament House perimeter bushland

The DRA believes many Canberra residents remain unaware of the scale of the likely impacts. Participants in an earlier inspection walk were surprised to discover how much native bushland could be affected and the extent of bridge and engineering works likely to be required beneath Federation Mall and across State Circle.

Key concerns include:

• Impacts on heritage and environmental values within the Parliamentary Precinct
• Delays and increased travel times caused by traffic lights at the top of Adelaide Avenue and an additional set on State Circle
• The loss of trees and native bushland opposite The Lodge
• Damage to the circular bushland perimeter that was a defining feature of the original award-winning Parliament House design
• Major construction disruption in one of Canberra’s most important national landscapes

Recent ACT Government statements have heightened these concerns. In particular, proposals for “an inner-running track between Sydney and Adelaide Avenues to keep light rail off median strips” raise questions about whether tracks would pass directly through the nationally significant bushland perimeter surrounding Parliament House.

That landscape was not accidental. The bushland ring around Parliament House was a central element of the original design concept, intended to visually connect Capital Hill with the surrounding landscape and frame the national institutions within a natural setting. Any substantial intrusion into this perimeter deserves careful public examination.

The financial implications are also becoming harder to ignore. Stage 2B may ultimately cost in the order of $5 billion or more, driven by tunnelling, bridge reconstruction, a Lake Burley Griffin crossing and extensive modifications to existing infrastructure. This is very different from Stage 1, which was largely constructed on flat ground with limited bridge works. Every extension beyond Commonwealth Park becomes progressively more difficult and expensive.

The DRA strongly supports improved public transport and bikeways. However, we believe Canberra residents deserve a fuller understanding of the costs, impacts and alternatives before irreversible decisions are made about the Parliamentary Precinct.

The 2024 report 21st Century Public Transport Solutions for Canberra (available through the DRA website) examined a range of alternatives and questioned whether current technologies and travel patterns justify the enormous cost of Stage 2B. It also raised concerns about long-term ACT Government debt and whether emerging transport technologies — including fast door-to-door autonomous vehicles — may provide more flexible and cost-effective solutions.

In response to strong public interest, the DRA plans further inspection walks and hopes Federal and ACT politicians will attend. We would particularly welcome members of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories, including Senator David Pocock and committee chair Alicia Payne MP. Senator Katy Gallagher and relevant ACT Ministers would also be welcome to inspect the site directly.

The Committee has the capacity to inquire into matters affecting the Parliamentary Zone and amendments to the National Capital Plan. The DRA believes the proposed route and its impacts warrant such an inquiry.

Residents interested in participating in future walks or encouraging the Joint Standing Committee to seek a mandate for an inquiry are invited to register through the Deakin Residents Association website.

We hope you can join us. Please let us know via the link.

Alternatives to Light Rail Stages 1 and 2A were examined in the 2024 report 21st Century Public Transport Solutions for Canberra. At that time, the cost of Stage 2B was estimated at around $4 billion. DRA Vice President Dr John Bell, a co-author of the report, has since revisited those estimates.

Working with colleagues who have relevant engineering and infrastructure experience, the co-authors estimated the likely cost of Stage 2B by scaling up the per-metre construction costs of Stage 1 and adding allowances for major additional works such as bridges, culverts, utility relocations and other services. In several locations, existing bridges would need to be demolished and replaced. Estimates for new bridge construction were based on the costs of recently completed comparable structures. Additional allowances were also made for the engineering complexities associated with routing light rail around Parliament House and down Adelaide Avenue. The estimates included the cost of modifying trams to operate on batteries, as well as construction of the Woden tram/bus interchange.

Subsequent design changes have only increased the likely cost. For example, the proposed cut-and-cover tunnel from Commonwealth Avenue to State Circle alone could add more than $50 million and plus modification to bridges over Federation Mall. Even in 2024 there was considerable uncertainty about how costs would evolve over time. Since then, many construction costs have risen by more than 20 per cent.

Taking these changes into account, the likely cost of Stage 2B is now estimated to be around $5 billion. With the cost of Stage 2A already approaching $900 million, and likely to reach around $1 billion by completion, the combined cost of Stage 2A and 2B could therefore approach $6 billion.
The original 2024 report by Leon Arundell, John Bell, Kent Fitch, Russ Morison, Mike Quirk and Anthony Senti is available at 21st Century Public Transport Solutions for Canberra.

The Deakin Residents Association invites you to join a community walk to better understand the potential impacts of Light Rail Stage 2B on the Parliamentary Precinct.
Date: Sunday 26 April,
Starting point: Surveyors Hut. 10:00 am

(limited parking, with overflow in Forster Drive)

The walk will offer:

• a shorter return route of approximately 1.5 km to the area proposed for traffic lights at the top of Adelaide Avenue and associated tree loss near The Lodge
• an extended walk of approximately 3 km continuing around the Parliament House perimeter bushland

While there has been considerable attention on constraints along the eastern alignment, other aspects of the current proposal have received little scrutiny. There are concerns about the State Circle route, including impacts on:

• heritage and environment values within the Parliamentary Precinct
• potential increases in travel time
• delays due to traffic lights at the top of Adelaide Avenue and an additional set on State Circle
• the loss of trees and native bushland opposite The Lodge
  • damage to the circular bush perimeter that was a defining feature of the original design winning competitor

This walk will provide an opportunity to view these areas on the ground and to discuss the implications as planning progresses.

We hope you can join us. Please let us know via the link.

Site of proposed lights on Adelaide Ave

The Art Gallery development in Grey St Block:  13     Section:  49  DEAKIN Application Number 202443150 has been Approved Subject to Conditions. More details at the link. Some issues of particular relevance to DRA follow.

The approval is for demolition of the existing structures and driveway verge crossings, removal of trees, construction of a mixed use development comprising of two commercial tenancies, 45 dwellings, three levels of basement car parking, new driveway verge crossing, landscaping and associated works. 
The approval notes thar the site adjoins a school car parking area for Canberra Girls Grammar Junior School and fronts several residential zoned blocks on Grey Street. The site is located within close proximity to Deakin Shops and Adelaide Avenue, where a future light rail stop is proposed to be located. Given the site’s proximity to Adelaide Avenue, which is Designated Area, the subject block is also subject to special requirements under the National Capital Plan. The DA was referred to the National Capital Authority, who have conditionally supported the proposal. 

Also within close proximity to the subject block are the Ambassador Apartments, located at Block 20, Section 12 Deakin, which are of a similar scale to the proposal. The proposed uses for the site will be limited to those conditionally approved under Lease Variation DA 202240874

NATIONAL CAPITAL DESIGN REVIEW PANEL ADVICE AND THE PROPONENT’S RESPONSE – S186(L)

On 9 May 2023 the National Capital Design Review Panel (NCDRP) provided advice on the development proposal. The NCDRP’s advice and the proponent’s response was submitted as part of the application and was considered in the making of this decision.

In their advice the NCDRP provided advice relating to setbacks, appropriate landscaping and sustainability measures and removal of trees.

 The Panel also did not support proposed subterranean uses and queried the overall programming of the building that included deep set apartment units, internal habitable rooms with no access to natural light or natural cross ventilation, excessively long access corridors with no outlook at ends, poor internal layouts and poor pedestrian access across the proposal.

The applicant has responded to the concerns raised by the design review panel. Specifically, by providing further amendments to proposed landscaping and deep root planting, building setbacks, building height, the layout of residential units and associated hallways on each floor plate, floor to ceiling heights and providing details on privacy screening measures, traffic, and pedestrians movements. Subject to addressing conditions of approval, the applicant is considered to have suitably addressed all issues raised by the panel in their advice.

CONSTRUCTION PARKING

It is a condition of approval that a Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) be obtained from the Manager of Traffic Management & Safety, Roads ACT, CED prior to commencement of Works. This plan must be prepared by a suitably qualified person and address measures to be implemented during construction activities to manage all traffic. This includes construction and regular traffic in and around the site, provision of safe pedestrian movements, the provision of parking for construction workers, and associated temporary traffic control devices. For further information, please refer to http://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/guiding principles for TTMP and https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/roads-and-paths/traffic/temporary-traffic-management.

TREE REMOVALS

The Delegate of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna advised the removal of regulated trees, particularly trees11-17, are not supported as they do not meet the approval criteria under the Urban Forest Act 2023. These proposed tree removals were subject to consideration by the Assessment and Environment Advisory Panel (AEAP). The panel supported the assessing officer’s recommendation that trees 9 and 17 could be supported for removal on planning grounds due to site constraints and subject to the lessee entering into a Canopy Contribution Agreement with the Conservator of Flora and Fauna in accordance with the Urban Forest Act 2023. The panel also agreed with the recommendation that trees 11-16 should be retained. Conditions havebeen imposed in Part 1 consistent with the outcomes of the AEAP process. CED-DCB, have assessed impacts to trees on unleased territory land and have conditionally supported the DA.

A condition of approval has been included in Part 1 of the Decision that an updated tree management plan be provided for trees to be protected on leased and unleased land.

CANOPY CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS

Regulated tree 9 and 17 have been supported for removal under the Planning Act 2023, subject to the lessee entering into a Canopy Contribution Agreement (CCA)with the Conservator of Flora and Fauna (the Conservator) in accordance with the Urban Forest Act 2023. A separate condition has also been included in Part 1 of this Decision that the replanting schedule for the CCA must be to the satisfaction of the Conservator.

The gathering of DRA members and residents for sausage sizzle will go ahead in the Scout Hall at midday if the rain persists.

George Wilson
President
DRA

A Vision for 24/7 Door-to-Door Service Using Shared Autonomous EVs

You’re invited to a presentation and dinner hosted by the Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin.
Join Kent Fitch for an engaging talk on the transformative potential of autonomous electric vehicles (EVs) to reshape Canberra’s public transport future.

The evening will also include the club’s annual changeover of Presidents.

Event Details

🗓 Date: Thursday, 26 June 2025
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Venue: Mercure Hotel, Limestone Avenue, Braddon
💵 Cost: $50 per person (includes a welcome drink and a two-course meal – chicken or vegetarian option)

Why This Matters

Autonomous vehicles are on the horizon and could soon become the cheapest, most efficient, and most accessible way to get around. Within just a few years, shared autonomous EVs could:

• Provide universal, on-demand, 24/7, door-to-door service
• Be cheaper and more convenient than both traditional cars and existing public transport
• Reduce traffic congestion and lower emissions
• Perfectly suit Canberra’s low-density, spread-out urban design

RSVP by Friday, 20 June

📧 Email russelldew1@gmail.com to confirm your place.
💳 Payment accepted on the night.

Spaces are limited—secure your seat for what promises to be a thought-provoking and celebratory evening.

With the ACT Government under significant budget pressure, we believe the most effective way to improve our suburb’s amenity is through community-led volunteering and collaboration. We’re working to support this through clearer priorities and stronger connections with schools, Scouts, Rotary, sporting clubs, businesses, and other local groups.

📝 Help Us Finalise Priorities

If you haven’t already done so, we’d appreciate you taking a moment to complete this brief survey:
👉 Click here to complete the survey

📢 Special General Meeting (SGM)

WSe are considering holding a Special General Meeting to bring the community together, share ideas, and identify practical actions we can take as residents.

Before moving forward, we’re seeking final input from people like you who’ve shown interest.

We’d value your thoughts on:

📌 Are you satisfied with the current state of Deakin?
📌 Would you support and attend a community SGM?

If the SGM proceeds, we’ll use the survey results to set the agenda and focus on the most meaningful issues.

The ACT Government has erected signs on nature strips adjacent to the Deakin shops where residents and businesses have been breaching the parking regulations by parking on nature strips. DRA looks forward to the restoration of erosion and soil compaction. So far offenders would appear to be taking little regard of the likelihood that they will be charged. Signs indicate that the fines can range from $137-$440 for individuals and $2200 for corporations.

A publicly available AED (defibrillator) has been installed in the Deakin and is available 24/7 and unlocked. It is available thanks to campaign by Ivan Slavich AM FAICD through www.streetbeat.life and SERVICE ONE and fundraising efforts of participants like Viola Kalokerinos and corporate supporters Community Bank Canberra and Regions Capital Chemist Group and Capital Estate Developments. It is the first of 29 AEDs to be installed across Canberra over the coming months, a quarter of the suburbs of Canberra. The aim is that if you need a defib within 5 minutes of a cardiac arrest and an ambulance will take longer the proposal is underway with St John Ambulance ACT.

With acknowledgement – from the Riotact

22 November 2024 | Ian Bushnell

Join the conversation4

What the 125-dwelling retirement village will look like. Federal Golf Club says the development is vital to its future. Image: GDH.

Developers of a proposed retirement village on a section of the Federal Golf Club course are hopeful of a 2025 start to the $100 million project after securing conditional approval from the Territory Planning Authority.

Sydney company Mbark proposes to build 125 dwellings, including 77 single-storey houses and 48 apartments across six three-storey buildings, and a health and wellbeing centre for residents on six hectares of the course.

MBark is partnering with the club, which argues the project is vital to securing its long-term financial future. But the proposal has been attacked on environmental grounds and from within the club as flawed financially.

Mbark development manager David Consalvi said this approval would pave the way for an application to remove the concessional status from the retirement village area of the site, the final development application (DA) hurdle to be cleared before work could start.

“We are working towards submitting this application soon and we are hopeful the extensive consultations undertaken on this project at multiple stages will see the removal of the concessional status for the approved retirement village happen on a timely basis,” Mr Consalvi said.

“This would allow the project to commence during 2025, which would be optimal to ensure the club’s vulnerabilities are addressed as soon as they can be and a return to business as usual can be achieved as fast as possible.

“The approved retirement village is the best option for the club and for the site to have a sustainable future.”

The approval at Federal Golf Club comes with a host of tree and environmental management conditions. Photo: Region.

All up, seven DAs have been submitted with proposals for an access road from Kitchener Street and a dam still under assessment. This approval is also dependent on the outcome of the other DAs.

Earlier in the month, a DA for a lease variation to include the retirement village use was approved.

The retirement village DA had been put on hold until Mbark provided a raft of information on environmental management and protections.

Mbark was requested in June to provide further information on tree management, managing wildlife habitat and corridors, run-off, invasive species, light and noise pollution, and bushfire risks.

The approval comes with a host of conditions relating to these areas.

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Mr Consalvi said the conditions were extensive and ensured the comprehensive protection of the land’s environmental values.

“These have been provided for in the commitments and obligations under the project’s Environmental Significance Opinion that preceded the development applications and which the project is required to adhere to,” he said.

“Whilst significant, the costs and timing have been factored into project planning.”

The DA attracted 326 written representations – 101 in support and 225 against.

Issues raised included the proposal’s size and impact on amenity and adjoining properties, traffic increase, and environmental impacts including loss of trees and disruption to wildlife (Gang-gang cockatoos and kangaroos).

This DA proposes 358 trees be removed but the planting of 579, mostly natives.