A new residential development along the western edge of Canberra is being explored with the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) releasing preliminary environmental and planning studies into possible potential sites.
Welcoming the studies the Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman said the area was bordered by the Murrumbidgee River and Belconnen, Molonglo Valley, Weston Creek and Kambah.
“Our aim is for 70 per cent of new housing to be developed within our existing urban area and 30 per cent on greenfield sites, like those along the western edge of Canberra,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Sustainable growth depends on the careful balancing of our need for more homes with environment, heritage, planning, transport and infrastructure considerations,” he said.
“Our commitment to a compact, accessible, liveable Canberra means our new suburbs will need good access to town centres, jobs and public transport, as well as the potential for social infrastructure such as schools, shops, and community facilities.
Mr Gentleman said the EPSDD research provided initial insights on air quality, site contamination, cultural heritage, bushfire risk, ecological and environmental factors, “and the wide range of other limitations and opportunities” across the 9,800 hectare area.
He said further research into potential residential development in the area would still take some time, with longitudinal research needed to ensure any potential risk of harm to people, animals or the environment could be effectively managed.
“For example, changes in flora and fauna activity or waterflows need to be monitored across different seasons and then verified in comparison to previous years,” the Minister said.
“Research into the potential for residential development in the western edge area will still take some time yet.”
He said this needed to happen before any decision could be made about where development may be feasible or what that development would look like.
The EPSDD’s western edge planning studies can be accessed at this PS News link.
