In past couple of weeks, there has several stories that have highlighted the significant power that property developers have over people’s lives and the need for their practises to be properly regulated. One major example relates to the partial collapse of the excavation site at Art Group’s Calypso apartments on Northbourne Avenue, which also took down several backyards and power lines. It was a miracle that no residents or construction workers were hurt in the incident (or in the incident in Woden earlier this year). As Dickson residents gathered for a roadside meeting to seek answers, the licensed builder fronted …

At last week’s NCCC General Meeting, the issue of integrated planning came to the fore during the Suburban Land Agency’s (SLA) presentation on the indicative land release program in North Canberra over the coming years. One of the areas of focus was Watson Section 76 (a greenfield site between Aspinall Street and the Federal Highway). The SLA noted the Place Plan for the area identified key themes for the future planning of Watson, such as ‘active people’ and ‘sustainable living’. North Watson residents would, however, be keenly aware that the current design of the suburb (as distinct from ‘old’ Watson) …

The ACT Government has released for consultation the draft Active Travel Plan which outlines a strategy to enable more people to take up public transport or cycling as modes of transport across Canberra. Many North Canberra residents who commute to work via public transport or bike would be conscious of the major challenges with our networks. For those who do not live on the light rail line (or do not have their workplace near a light rail stop), public transport times can be prohibitively long due to the additional connecting buses. For those who cycle, the roads in some suburbs …

The ACT Government recently released a guide for how to integrate climate-wise landscape design principles in new developments. It is intended to assist in the planning and design of climate resilient landscapes, including merging green landscapes with urban structures where possible and maximising trees and plants on the block. The guide is worth reading for anyone interested in the principles of climate resilient planning, but it’s another question entirely as to whether these principles can be integrated into new developments. A recent article by The RiotACT’s Ian Bushnell on a new dual occupancy development in Torrens highlights this tension, describing a …