The latest proposal for the site on Grey St opposite the Ambassador units on Hopetoun Ct is for 50 three and four-bedroom residential apartments and three ground-floor commercial units for an art gallery/shop, day spa and a club lounge/restaurant for residents. Previous proposals for a five-storey aged care facility were the subject of DRA concerns about traffic and parking issues.
The new development proposes two basement levels where 134 on-site car parking spaces including 120 in garages with EV charging points, 12 conventional spaces with EV charging for visitors and two disabled spaces.
The development is expected to generate about 49 vehicle trips during the morning and evening peaks. Deakin Residents Association remains concerned about traffic in Grey St especially during school drop off and pick up times. We have engage expert opinion to review the Development Application which is open for comment on the Deakin DA closes on 4 September.
If you would like to support DRA in this endeavour, donations can be made to our account or by contacting the treasurer@deakinresidents.asn.au $50 contributions would be very helpful. Annual subscriptions also welcome!
Nature strip vandalism, dead trees and neglected gardens in Deakin
Our campaign to improve the visual amenity Deakin seems to be gaining some response from the ACT Gov. See the post on the topic.
The dead trees on Macgregor St have been removed.
Notices have been issues to vehicle owners who have taken over the nature strips close to the shops. It remains to be seen if the warnings are enforced. DRA has previously been told that parking on nature strips is allowed if it is safer than parking on the road. While this is reasonable short-term, should it be permitted permanently? This seems to shift responsibility from the courts to inspectors. A breach is a breach, and leaseholders should choose properties that can accommodate their cars without the need to break the law
Here are some thoughts comparing the landscapes of Noosa and Canberra Airport with the deteriorating state of Deakin. They were published in the Canberra Times on 1 Aug 2024
During a recent visit to Noosa, George wilson was impressed by the Noosa Council’s efforts in maintaining streetscapes and urban vegetation. Returning to Canberra, the contrast was stark. In Deakin, there are dead trees, cracked footpaths, graffiti, street rubbish, neglected shopping centre gardens, decaying park benches, excessive road signage, and vandalized nature strips.
DRA seeks to enhance the social and environmental qualities of Deakin according to garden city planning principles. While we were pleased to receive support for Floriade last year and to receive a grant for heritage signs, our requests to have planning standards enforced are denied. Requests to “Fix my Street” are often ignored.
In Noosa, parking on nature strips is illegal and enforced. In Deakin, we are told that parking on nature strips is allowed if it is safer than parking on the road. While this is reasonable short-term, should it be permitted permanently? This seems to shift responsibility from the courts to inspectors. A breach is a breach, and leaseholders should choose properties that can accommodate their cars without the need to break the law.
A poster in Noosa strictly prohibits parking on nature strips
Canberra International Airport showcases stylish landscaping. The ACT Government could emulate these practices and those of Noosa Shire Council set out in their Environment Strategy. Canberra should be leading by example, not following poorly.
The streetscape in Noosa features well-maintained gardens, free from unsightly signs, litter, or cracked footpaths.By contrast – dead tree Hopetoun Cres and Macgregor StDerelict garden beds at Deakin ShopsExcess, ugly signs dominate major national vista
See below for RZ1 sites in Deakin eligible for secondary dwellings as a red overlay under the ACT Government 2023 planning system changes that allow secondary dwellings of less than 120 square meters on RZ1 blocks greater than 800sqm.
The analysis for this map was undertaken for a Canberra Times article last year using publicly available ACT Government land data, Brendan Halloran provided Community Council stakeholders with an interactive map html file and jpg image for public information. The map removes excluded planning policy RZ1 blocks that were identified as Mr Fluffy dual resident blocks, existing multi-unit designated blocks and also blocks in suburbs such as Reid, Campbell, Braddon, Ainslie, Kingston, Barton, Griffith, Forrest and Red Hill where the blocks have existing residential precinct protection that does not allow secondary dwellings (despite the blocks being larger than 800sqm).
Map file developed by Brendan Halloran to inform the Canberra public, not as a personal or political statement on the policy.
Brendan Halloran used publicly available 2023 map data from the ACT Geospatial Data Catalogue (arcgis.com) that may not perfectly reflect the current land data.
DRA notes that 53 single-level residences are being offered on the Art Gallery site at the intersection of Grey Street and Hopetoun Court.
DRA would like to know more about the status of the offer and in particular planned vehicle access to it. Interested members might like to contact the agents Archer and provide feedback.
The residences range from 160 sqm to over 600 sqm, with configurations of 2, 3, or 4 bedrooms oversized garages, triple glazing throughout. The ground floor residences have courtyards, while penthouses have private lifts and rooftop terraces exceeding 200 sqm. All residences are equipped with EV charging points.
The property is adjacent to the proposed light rail stop Civic and Woden. It has been omitted from the artists impression below.
Light Rail 2b Public Consultation Open until 30 June 24
The ACT Government announced that public consultation for Light Rail 2b was open until 30 June 2024
The Deakin Residents Association (DRA) remains concerned about the high costs of the Light Rail proposal compared to the benefits of alternative options such as electric buses and improved cycleways. We believe the impact on Deakin’s heritage values and overall amenity is significant.
DRA aims to continue to raise awareness about the proposed expenditure, potential environmental damage, and the need for wiser investment in public transport. Your feedback is crucial in ensuring that the voices of Deakin residents are heard. Opinions can be aired at public consultation.
Artists impression of Hopetoun Circuit light rail stop. It shows the new bridge over Hopetoun Ct, the Traffic lights plus the lift to the elevated platform. The artist has omitted the down ramp off Adelaide Ave and buildings on the Art Gallery site.
Kent St light rail stop showing lift and realigned Adelaide Ave
State Circle stop, proposed Commonwealth Ave Bridge over the Lake
Traffic lights and a new bridge are proposed where the route crosses State Circle and enters Adelaide Ave
Traffic lights site where light rail emerges from bushland around Parliament House..
For some time now, the DRA has relied on generous donations from a small number of members to finance its operations (newsletters, meetings, flyers, website costs, etc).
The DRA Committee has now decided to move to a more stable and sustainable funding arrangement through the introduce an annual membership fee, similar to that applicable in Yarralumla.
The membership fee is being introduced immediately for the 2023-24 financial year.
DRA anticipates membership will continue to grow as our suburb faces an uncertain future including with changes to the ACT planning system. Our aim is to foster the garden suburb and a richer community through activities to make our suburb of Deakin simply brilliant.
More details at the link
Donations are as always welcome and can now be deposited by PayPal, bank transfer or cheque sent to our PO Box.
The Deakin Residents’ Association was pleased to receive funding from the ACT Government to undertake a project under the ACT Heritage Grants program 2023-2024
Click to view full image
The aim of the Deakin heritage project is to document and describe heritage aspects of Deakin, emphasising its importance in the historical development and legacy of Canberra as the national capital based on Walter Burley Griffin’s designs and garden city principles. The project is planned in stages, with Stage One to design and install two Canberra Tracks signs describing the heritage aspects of Deakin, one at the Deakin shops, and the other at La Trobe Park.
A historian has written a detailed historical overview of the development of Deakin which can be accessed below. It is also accessible via the Canberra Tracks app. Also
Also included below are photos of early Deakin, the history of Westminster House – the residence of British High Commissioner, and more about the Italian Embassy.
The Deakin Residents’ Association (DRA) warmly invites Deakin residents, friends and supporters to join us in celebrating Stage One of the Deakin Heritage project: Discovering and valuing Deakin’s heritage. ACT Minister for Heritage, Rebecca Vassarotti MLA will unveil the first of two Canberra Tracks signs at the Deakin Shopping Centre on Sunday 28 April at a celebratory event beginning at 2pm. A further sign will be unveiled in La Trobe Park at a later date. The two Canberra Tracks signs will provide readily accessible heritage information to residents, tourists and other visitors to Deakin. There will be an online link through the signage to a groundbreaking and detailed history of Deakin prepared by historian Ann-Mari Jordens. Vivid photographic material and other fascinating heritage discoveries will also be provided via the link. The DRA is keen to engage young people and local schools to encourage appreciation of Deakin’s distinctive, extensive and varied heritage.
We are delighted that the Principals of Canberra Girls Grammar School and The Woden School will attend and also speak about the histories of their schools. A highlight on the day will be a choral performance by The Gabriel Singers from Canberra Girls Grammar School.
The celebration on 28 April will also feature short presentations by the Chair of the Deakin Heritage Project Team and DRA Treasurer, Dr John Bell and historian Ann-Mari Jordens. The celebration will run from 2pm to 3.30 pm with formalities from 2.15 for around 35 minutes. The event is free and outdoors. If you require seating, please bring a folding chair. The project and signage have been made possible through the ACT Heritage Grants program.
Subject to funding, the DRA plans a further stage involving additional signage in other Deakin locations, together with other heritage material, including a designated heritage trail map. Contact and media enquiries can be made to Dr John Bell on 0438 732 953 This project is supported with funding made available by the ACT Government under the ACT Heritage Grants Program, Environment Planning & Sustainable Development Directorate.
The Deakin Residents’ Association was pleased to receive $14,780 funding from the ACT Government) to undertake a project under the ACT Heritage Grants program 2023-2024
The aim of the Deakin Heritage project is to document and describe heritage aspects of Deakin, emphasising its importance in the historical development and legacy of Canberra as the national capital based on Walter Burley Griffin’s designs and garden city principles. The project is planned in stages, with Stage One being to design and install two Canberra Tracks signs, one at the Deakin shops and one at La Trobe Park, describing the heritage aspects of Deakin. An historian has written a more detailed historical overview of the development of Deakin for the DRA website https://deakinresidents.asn.au/. This will be accessible via the Canberra Tracks app.
As an interim measure until professionally designed, the text of the overview is at link