One of DRA’s main objectives is to maintain the garden city landscape in our suburb.

We are concerned about the exposed bare ground on nature strips and the soil compaction affecting street trees. Parking on nature strips is the primary cause.

We note that parking on the nature strip is illegal under the Australian Road Rules (1999) and infringement notices can be issued.

Notice of  meeting on the evening of 14th February 2023 at 7:30 pm Yarralumla Primary school. This will be a joint meeting with YRA/DRA in conjunction with the ISCCC.

More information

To help you understand some of the issues, here is a link to the CPAG 12/22 newsletter.

https://shoutout.wix.com/so/31OKeo82W?languageTag=en&cid=5459edc1-f29a-4757-beeb-8da1a5961f16

CPAG includes a number of planners and is an independent non-government body.

At the link, you will find notes prepared for the ISCCC on issues that are relevant to the Inner South in relation to development applications.

Click here for the DA Decision Making document

The executive of DRA and YRA met Senator David Pocock on 5^th Dec 2022 to discuss light rail, ACT planning and seaplanes on the Lake.

During the meeting, we raise the following points.

In our view,

A. The National Capital Authority which is a Federal government agency is failing not only its responsibilities for areas under its direct control in the Parliamentary Triangle but its role in oversighting the planning for the whole of ACT as the national capital.

 In regard to the light rail/tram stage 2, The NCA failed to ask for a cost-benefit analysis of alternatives.

B. In regard to the yet unapproved Stage 2b, we believe that:

• Densification of Deakin and Yarralumla along the proposed route to Woden is used to justify its construction. However, there are a few sites for this to occur. Replacing embassies, schools and sports ovals with high-density housing does not seem likely.
• Even if current land use could be changed there can be only one stop on Adelaide Avenue and two on Yarra Glen.
• Damage to the heritage values of the national capital and the construction of a new bridges will be profound, especially over the Lake
• Approval is a Commonwealth Government issue.
  • Clearance is required under 1. Commonwealth EPBC Act 2. By NCA and 3. by a vote of both Houses of Parliament.
• Cost-benefit is not available for stage 2b.
  • What is the rate of return on the investment?
• The current partially developed proposal fails to consider alternatives.
  • electric bikes could be given away to everyone who wanted one and the best bike network in the world could be built across Canberra
    • and ACT Gov would have $ billions left over.

C. In regard to proposals to conduct float plane services from Sydney to the lake, we wondered if the operation could be conducted on cloudy days. An instrument approach through cloud to land on the lake seems unlikely. With a limitation like that would regular advertised services be possible?

DRA has written to the Minister for planning and the National Capital Authority in the following terms complaining about the inadequacy of the information and the opportunity to comment on the proposed redevelopment of the Art Gallery site and Grey Street.

This post is in relation to the inadequacy of an online information session held by Canberra Town Planning on 13 December 2022 about a proposed development on Block 13 Section 49 Deakin, the Grey Street Art Gallery site. The session was billed as a ‘virtual information session’. The session was not widely advertised in the suburb. For example, we understand that residents of the Ambassador Apartments immediately across the road from the proposed development were not informed. As far as we know there was no mention of social media platforms and the consultation not delivered in a form that would allow many local residents to attend.

The Deakin Residents’ Association (DRA) did pass information about the event to our members and to our contact list, but one reported that although they had expressed an interest in attending they did not hear back from the organisers. 

We had expected that this session would be conducted by the proponents as a ‘consultation’ with Deakin residents, but as a consultation session, it was utterly flawed. The introduction was brief, few plans were shown, there were initial mistakes in critical information (numbers of residential units/number of storeys) which were later corrected and there was completely inadequate information on the major issues that would allow residents to make any judgement at all about the scale of the planned development and its potential impact on the suburb. The drawings did not even represent the likely final look or even colour of the building. Many questions were answered with the words that it was a ‘work in progress’. This included the architecture, landscaping (no landscape plan was provided), on-site resident and visitor parking, planned numbers of units, likely number of residents, what would be on the ground floor and concerns for the adjoining school.

We understood from the Zoom session that the ‘consultation period’ ends on 16 January. However we consider that the ACT Government and NCA should not accept the outcome of this session as satisfactorily meeting requirements of ‘community consultation’. If this development goes ahead it would be a massive building, on a controversial site, alongside heritage significant Adelaide Avenue (a Main Avenue and national processional route) and at the ‘gateway’ to Deakin, a significant Garden Suburb. The DRA does not oppose redevelopment of the site but given its strategic significance for both the whole of Adelaide Ave and the suburb of Deakin, we urge greater sensitivity in its planning. We also note that it is a small site and its location presents challenges for access for both vehicles and pedestrians.

In our view, at the very least there should be an on-site consultation session with detailed plans and correct information, with proponents available to answer questions and this session should be widely advertised by the proponents to Deakin residents through letter-boxing, posters at the shops and on accessible social media.

Canberra Girls Grammar is conducting significant work their Senior School campus, on Melbourne Ave, during the Christmas break.

During the break, the CGGS Maintenance and Grounds team will work with external contractors to improve lighting and safety, enhance traffic flow, and improve the frontage of the School.

As they approach their Centenary in 2026, the School says that during the upgrade it will continue to honour its heritage and history throughout the upcoming works and any works in the future. While working to upgrade the southwest corner of the Senior School campus, the team will plant 39 new trees, create new open spaces, and implement significant soft and hard landscaping taking inspiration from the historical photos of the School to respect its heritage.

As a part of this project, the school’s maintenance team with the assistance of experts and in accordance with the Tree Protection Act 2005 and approval of the ACT Government, have identified several Cyprus trees aligning Melbourne Avenue and Gawler Crescent – many of which have fallen in storms recently – requiring removal.

The major works will be conducted from early December through to early March. The school does not expect that these works will have a major impact on the public, however, for a short period the footpath on Gawler Crescent may be closed with alternative routes provided by ACT Government.

If you don’t support the tram you might like to sign this petition

Jeremy Hanson MLA has set up an online petition so that people who oppose the tram can support the case to stop it. It reads:

“To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory

This petition of residents of the Australian Capital Territory draws to the attention of the Assembly the following:

• The tram caused over $400 million to be ripped out of hospitals, and nearly $90 million from road funding.
• Rates have increased at record levels.
• The ACT has a critical teacher shortage, the longest hospital waiting times in Australia, the lowest number of police per capita, and massive debt.
• Trams are much slower than existing buses, and electric buses are more affordable and environmentally friendly.
• The funding could be better spent on better hospitals, better roads, more police and better schools.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the Assembly to call on the Government to:

1. Stop Light Rail Project 2B.”

SPONSORED BY JEREMY HANSON MLA

The link to this petition: Stop the tram (jeremyhanson.net)

DRA is forwarding this opportunity so its members can respond as they decide and if they support the petition.

Emma Davidson MLA, Minister for Veterans and Seniors and Member for Murrumbidgee will make a presentation by video – Bridge Club Deakin on the Age Friendly Planning Strategy.
Join us on Wednesday 9 November 2022 from 6pm

She will be followed by Prue Power AM, Chair, Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing, who will speak on the Age Friendly City Plan. All welcome.

The AGM for the DRA will follow. Notice of 2022 Annual General Meeting and Agenda, Nomination form to join the committee
You can join by ZOOM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83978282419?pwd=WXUxL1QwNFZlMnJMSlRVWWhacDY1QT09

Email vicepresident@deakinresidents.asn.au before the meeting for the passcode

A new Childcare Centre, 2 Two Storey residences approved for the St Luke’s Church Site

On 12 September 2022, The Planning and Land Authority, ACT Government, approved the Development Application submitted by the Anglican Church on 11 November 2021.
On 16 September 2022, the Decision was made known by email to those who had made representations.
The attached Page 1 of the 16 Page Notice of Decision, gives approval for:

• Demolition of the existing church building and associated structures,
• construction of a 120 place childcare centre including playrooms, amenities, and associated facilities, new landscaped outdoor play area,
• construction of new driveways, verge and carparking,
• construction of two new two-storey dwellings with attached garages for church use,
• civil works including lighting, pathways and fencing, landscaping including tree removal and replacement, and associated works, and

Variation of the Crown lease to permit child care centre, at Block 01 Section 30 DEAKIN, in accordance with the plans, drawings and other documentation approved and endorsed as forming part of this approval.

A copy of the application and the decision are available for inspection on the Public Register.
The Register can be inspected between 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays at Access
Canberra Customer Service Centre, 8 Darling Street Mitchell, ACT.
If, however, you would like a copy of the full Notice of Decision please send an email to: davisgill@yahoo.com a copy of the Notice of Decision will be sent to your email address.

Representations in relation to the Development Application were submitted in December 2021 by the Deakin Residents Association and several nearby residents. The issues raised in these representations, especially in relation to parking and traffic flow, have seemingly had little or no impact on the decision to approve the Proposal.

A review of the decision can only be made through the ACT Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (ACAT). An Application Form together with the required fee has to be lodged within 28 days.