February 2014

West Belconnen Community newsDear Resident Welcome to the third community newsletter for this project – designed to keep you up to date on our proposal to create an innovative, diverse and sustainable community at West Belconnen.

The initial West Belconnen draft Master Plan was featured in our December newsletter. The Master Plan has continued to evolve based on further research and consultation, an update is provided in this edition of the newsletter.

We are on track to submit the relevant reports to the ACT Government and the Yass Valley Council to start the rezoning processes in April. If successful, it is anticipated that stage 1 construction will commence in 2015.

We are excited by the opportunity to develop this new, sustainable community in West Belconnen.

Our proposed development will not only benefit new residents, but also the wider West Belconnen community. We will shortly commence community consultation looking at how the existing Kippax Centre can provide for a growing population and also how we can grow local jobs.

We will continue to provide you with regular project updates to ensure that you are kept informed throughout all stages of the project. For more information please visit www.talkwestbelconnen.com.au or visit us at the Community Shop Front and Project Office at the Kippax Centre.

Thank you for your interest in the project.

Yours sincerely,

David Maxwell Director Riverview Group

TheRiverviewGroup

Upcoming EventsEvent Purpose Timing Location

Community shop front opens

Drop in to share your thoughts and find out more information about the proposed development

Opens mid-February Kippax Centre, Hardwick Crescent, Holt, ACT 2615

Draft Master Plan Community Information and Feedback Session

These sessions provide an opportunity for the community to view the master plan and provide feedback

20 February 2014 3.30pm – 6.30pm

22 February 2014 10am – 1pm

Kippax Centre, Hardwick Crescent, Holt, ACT 2615

Community Feedback Sessions on the Kippax Centre

These sessions provide an opportunity for the community to tell us what they think about the Kippax Group Centre

27 March 2014 3.30pm – 6.30pm

29 March 2014 10am – 1pm

Kippax Centre, Hardwick Crescent, Holt, ACT 2615

Community shop front and project office - now on your doorstep The West Belconnen project team is coming to the Kippax Centre with the community shop front set to open in mid-February. Located in the old Commonwealth Bank premises, the shop front will be open for the community to drop by during the week.

This community shop front will feature a large-scale 3D model of the proposed West Belconnen site along with story boards providing information about the project and the draft Master Plan. We invite all community members to drop by, find out more information and share their thoughts on the proposed development.

Kippax Strategic Planning ReviewA new community at West Belconnen will create significant changes for North West Canberra and neighbouring NSW. In the early years of the development, new residents will use existing community facilities and shops in neighbouring suburbs. The Kippax Centre is likely to be a popular destination for the growing population of West Belconnen.

The Riverview Group, on behalf of the ACT Government is undertaking a strategic planning review of the Kippax Centre in order to examine issues and how the Centre is placed to deliver ongoing services to more people.

The review will be undertaken over approximately a six month period and will involve a range of investigations into traffic, public transport, parking, infrastructure, retail, recreation and urban design. The review will capture community and stakeholder insights about the Kippax Centre. During March 2014 we will be out and about talking to the local community and businesses about why they visit the Kippax Centre, what they like about it and how they would like to see it in the future.

Planning and Design Forum participants at the West Belconnen site

Community shop front opening hours » Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

» Tuesdays from 9am until 7pm

Location Kippax Centre, Hardwick Crescent, Holt, ACT 2615

West Belconnen Draft Master Plan The initial West Belconnen draft Master Plan offers a mix of housing choices, employment, community facilities and nature conservation, supporting the theme of a 21st century garden suburb in the nation’s capital.

The plan envisages a series of identifiable villages within a landscape setting, accentuating views of the Brindabella mountain range.

The villages are organised along a boulevard connecting pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and vehicles to local facilities. These include new schools, shops, the heritage Belconnen Farmhouse precinct and new community infrastructure, such as halls and medical centres. Sustainable transport will be the number one choice with continuous bike lanes and pedestrian paths along the tree lined boulevard, which help to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Diverse housing types will appeal to a broad range of lifestyles, while allowing residents to remain close to family and friends in the local area.

West Belconnen will showcase innovative technologies that will benefit local residents and the environment. Concepts such as urban food production, renewable energies and emerging industries will provide the framework for a self-sufficient community to evolve over time and ensure better utilisation of resources. The draft Master Plan proposes to transform space under electricity lines into green corridors that will provide the opportunity for a range of uses and recreation activities.

Beyond the villages, over 600 hectares of land wraps the site in a big ‘Green U’ providing opportunities for conservation, recreation and leisure activities connecting residents and visitors with the natural beauty of the Murrumbidgee River and Ginninderra Creek.

We will continue this exciting work on the design and testing of the Master Plan over the coming months, which will form the foundation of a project of international significance in the nation’s capital.

West Belconnen study area

Meet the project teamA team of experts have been engaged for the project to ensure robust planning, design and community engagement. Peer reviewers form part of the team, to ensure better outcomes are achieved for West Belconnen and its new residents.

David Shorthouse, Environmental Consultant David Shorthouse has had an extensive career in land planning and management in the ACT and Commonwealth Governments. He has post-graduate qualifications in conservation and ecology and has taught these subjects at the University of Canberra.

David has been involved in this project for a number of years, providing peer review of all the surveys and reports on the ecological resources found in the study area. He has assisted with development of consultations with environmental experts in the community and government. David’s vision for West Belconnen is an urban development that is ecologically sustainable and reflects the special location and sensitivity of its environments.

“I am excited about the project for two reasons – this is the first time in the ACT that ecological criteria have been used to define the border of a new urban area. It’s great to see the necessary ecological surveys have been completed first, rather than determining the urban edge and then assessing the environmental impacts. This provides the opportunity to maximise compatibility between environment and urban development,” says David.

“Secondly, the prospect of a greater sensitivity to the environment across the whole development may result in more sustainable land uses that support a more resilient community facing the uncertainties of global change.”

TheRiverviewGroup

Disclaimer: The plans, examples and information contained herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not, without further inquiry, be relied upon as to their ultimate accuracy, to the extent permitted by law, the Land Development Agency and our partner The Riverview Group will not be responsible for any loss or damage that may be incurred as a result of your reliance upon this material.

Artist’s impression of the West Belconnen concept

For more information about West Belconnen:

Drop into the community shop front Kippax Centre, Hardwick Crescent, Holt, ACT 2615

Visit www.talkwestbelconnen.com.au

Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/westbelconnen

Follow us on Twitter @westbelconnen

Email westbelconnen@elton.com.au

How can I find out more?