As announced in the Canberra Weekly on Tuesday 5th May, a Draft Variation to the Territory Plan was passed by the ACT Assembly to allow development on the site (see http://citynews.com.au/2015/planning-approval-to-redevelop-downer/)
That is not the end of the matter, as the site has to be sold by the Government, then a Development Application submitted by the successful buyer to actually build anything. Residents should have a further opportunity to comment on this DA.
There will be a direct sale to Community Housing Canberra, an organisation which provides low-cost housing to people on low-moderate incomes. This is not Government housing. To ensure costs are kept down to eligible people, some dwellings will be sold on the open market, so there will be a mix of residents. The following are likely:
DCA is maintaining close contact with CHC, who have indicated that they wish to engage closely with the Downer Community so that residents' views on the proposed development are considered. They have established a special web page at http://www.chcatdowner.com.au to assist this. This site allows people to sign up to an email newsletter (first one available at http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=727e3eb5e1f8e006097e7b14b&id=13bf324060 ).
Eventually, the website will be fully developed to allow community input. One of the most important features will be a Q and A page, to publish questions and answers about the development. There will be a ‘contact form’ on the website, which CHC will use to respond to queries and explain how or why things are being done.
In coming months CHC plan to have a portable office on the Downer site as an information centre which will be staffed on weekends.
That is not the end of the matter, as the site has to be sold by the Government, then a Development Application submitted by the successful buyer to actually build anything. Residents should have a further opportunity to comment on this DA.
There will be a direct sale to Community Housing Canberra, an organisation which provides low-cost housing to people on low-moderate incomes. This is not Government housing. To ensure costs are kept down to eligible people, some dwellings will be sold on the open market, so there will be a mix of residents. The following are likely:
- possibly 300 residences on the site (mostly apartments, but some townhouses)
- building height of 2-storeys on the Frencham St side and 4-storeys elsewhere.
- some buildings with commercial development on the ground floor, with apartments above
- new access roads through the site from Bradfield St and Melba St
- a childcare centre and assisted living housing for older people
DCA is maintaining close contact with CHC, who have indicated that they wish to engage closely with the Downer Community so that residents' views on the proposed development are considered. They have established a special web page at http://www.chcatdowner.com.au to assist this. This site allows people to sign up to an email newsletter (first one available at http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=727e3eb5e1f8e006097e7b14b&id=13bf324060 ).
Eventually, the website will be fully developed to allow community input. One of the most important features will be a Q and A page, to publish questions and answers about the development. There will be a ‘contact form’ on the website, which CHC will use to respond to queries and explain how or why things are being done.
In coming months CHC plan to have a portable office on the Downer site as an information centre which will be staffed on weekends.