Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan - NOVEMBER 2014
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Have your say The Environment and Planning Directorate (EPD) welcomes comments on this draft master plan. You can make comments on the Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan: Visit: www.act.gov.au/wodenandmawson Email: Woden@act.gov.au Post: Woden master plan PO Box 158, Canberra, ACT 2601. Comments can be made until 23 February 2015 All comments will be taken into consideration when revising the master plan. The master plan is anticipated for consideration by the ACT Government in mid 2015. If adopted, implementation of the master plan can commence. © Australian Capital Territory, Canberra 2014 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from: Director-General, Environment and Planning Directorate, ACT Government, GPO Box 158, Canberra, ACT 2601. Telephone: 02 6207 1923 Website: www.environment.act.gov.au Printed on recycled paper Privacy Before making a submission to this discussion paper, please review the Environment and Planning Directorate’s privacy policy and annex at www.environment.act.gov.au/about/privacy . Any personal information received in the course of your submission will be used only for the purposes of this community engagement process. Names of organisations may be included in any subsequent consultation report, but all individuals will be de- identified unless prior approval is gained. Accessibility The ACT Government is committed to making its information, services, events and venues as accessible as possible. If you have difficulty reading a standard printed document and would like to receive this publication in an alternative format, such as large print, please phone Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 or email the Environment and Planning Directorate at epd_communications@act.gov.au If English is not your first language and you require a translating and interpreting service, please phone 13 14 50. If you are deaf, or have a speech or hearing impairment, and need the teletypewriter service, please phone 13 36 77 and ask for Canberra Connect on 13 22 81. For speak and listen users, please phone 1300 555 727 and ask for Canberra Connect on 13 22 81. For more information on these services visit http://www.relayservice.com.au
Contents Definitions ii 4. Challenges and opportunities 47 4.1 Challenges 47 Executive summary 1 4.2 Opportunities 51 1. Introduction 3 5. The master plan 55 1.1 Study area 3 5.1 Master plan structure 55 1.2 Block and section map 7 5.2 Vision 55 1.3 Importance of the master plan 7 5.3 Character statement 55 1.4 Master plan process 8 5.4 Planning principles 56 2. Planning context 11 5.5 Spatial framework 61 2.1 Strategic planning 11 5.6 Planning strategies 62 2.2. Statutory planning 12 6. Recommendations for implementation 83 2.3 Spatial context 14 6.1 The process of change 83 2.4 Planning history 16 6.2 Territory Plan Variation 83 3 Background and analysis 21 6.3 Land release 83 3.1 Community engagement 21 6.4 Public domain upgrades 83 3.2 Character and heritage 21 6.5 Commercial opportunities 83 3.3 Demographics 23 6.6 Further studies 83 3.4 Land use 24 3.5 Transport and movement 30 3.6 Public domain 35 3.7 Building design and height 38 3.8 Public safety 40 3.9 Athllon Drive 40 3.10 Yarralumla Creek 42 3.11 Environmental sustainability 44 planning.act.gov.au i
Definitions Active frontages occur when people can interact Shared zone/shared spaces is a road or place where between the buildings and the streets and public the road space is shared safely by vehicles, cyclists spaces, such as shop fronts, building entrances and and pedestrians. transparent building facades. Surveillance or passive surveillance is the ‘eyes on Active uses are uses that generate activity at the the street’ from residents and people going about ground floor, including cafes, shop fronts and their daily activities. This creates a sense of safety building entrances. for streets and public spaces. Active travel is travel that involves physical activity, Transit-oriented development is the creation of such as walking and cycling. Active travel can also compact, walkable development located around include the walking and/or cycling involved when high quality public transit systems. using public transport. Urban grain is the street pattern, size and Built form relates to the buildings, associated distribution of blocks, scale of buildings and their structures and surrounding public spaces. relationship to each other. Urban grain includes Human scale reflects a sympathetic proportional the hierarchy of street, the pedestrian connections, relationship between the built form and human public places and linkages to public transport. dimensions where people are not overwhelmed Visual cues are elements in the public domain that by the built form. Human scale contributes to a contribute to a person’s understanding of a place. person’s perception of buildings or other features in For example, buildings may gradually get taller as the public domain. It is typically referred to when you travel closer to the town centre, providing an discussing the bulk and scale of development. understanding that you are approaching a major Mixed use development includes a mix of centre. complementary land uses such as restaurants and Water sensitive urban design is the planning, small shops at ground level and residences above. design or construction of the built environment Mixed uses can be horizontal or vertical. to minimise water runoff and ensure any runoff Podium or building base is the lower storeys of a causes the least amount of damage. It is also tall building that passersby see and interact with. about wise use of that water to improve our urban It is designed to present an appropriate human scale environment. to the streets and public spaces. Podiums can be Wind shear refers to the potential for down used to transition down to lower-scale buildings, and draughts from taller buildings or accelerated winds minimise the impact of parking and servicing areas. from tunnelling between buildings onto public spaces.
Executive summary The ACT Government has prepared draft master identity of the centre, make the centre more accessible plans for Woden town centre, Mawson group centre for sustainable modes of travel, provide housing choice and the Athllon Drive corridor between the two for the Woden Valley and strengthen the centre’s role centres. While both centres have been considered as a place to work, shop, live and play. together in the first stage of the master plan process, two draft master plans have been prepared The planning directions for the Phillip service trades as each area has its own community interests, precinct from the 2004 master plan are reinforced characteristics, opportunities and challenges. in this draft master plan. A mix of uses, including residential, is encouraged. Residential use is limited The draft master plan for Woden town centre (the to the central areas to ensure the precinct can centre) includes a review of the 2004 Woden Town continue to provide important trade services. Centre Master Plan to provide a new vision, planning principles, spatial framework, planning strategies The draft master plan identifies longer-term and policies. The new directions in the draft master opportunities for the Athllon Drive corridor to plan respond to the current development pressures introduce medium density residential development and consider the strategic planning directions and and new recreation opportunities that will be policies, background analysis, and community integrated with improvements to Yarralumla Creek. and stakeholder engagement activities that were Residents living in this corridor will be able to take undertaken as part of the master plan process. advantage of a connected cycle and pedestrian network to easily and safely access the centre and The 2004 master plan identified a number of issues, use rapid transport. some of which still remain. Access into the centre, access to community facilities, lack of activity onto The draft master plan builds on the centre’s strengths the streets and quality of the public domain were and seeks to improve the opportunities for social consistently raised as issues for the centre. interaction, liveability for residents, accessibility and quality of the streets and public spaces. The centre is entering a new phase of development with a number of government initiatives and private The draft master plan provides a new vision for the developments underway or being planned. centre: The bus interchange improvements, together with Woden town centre is a major community the possible expansion of the Woden Plaza, offer new and commercial hub for the Woden Valley opportunities to better integrate public transport and wider Canberra region. It will be a place with the cycle and pedestrian networks. Planning that attracts people to live, work, socialise for the existing community centre and CIT campus and enjoy throughout the day and evenings. could move the focus of community activities from The town square is the central focal point the western side of the centre close to the new bus for social and community activity that will station. Additionally, residential development being connect people to a network of safe and planned by the private sector on the western and active streets and public parks. eastern edges of the centre will bring more people Eleven planning strategies are recommended with a into the centre outside of the usual working week. focus on: The centre is a major employment hub, with the • sustainability Commonwealth Government and retail sector • future built form and character being the largest employees. This draft master plan identifies the need to retain land for large • transport and movement employment providers for the long term and will • car parking provide opportunity for redevelopment to occur as • activating the public domain circumstances change. • future office and employment opportunities Several opportunities are identified in this draft • access to community facilities, sport and master plan to look at capitalising on the centre as a recreation, and metropolitan hub for Canberra, enhance the street and open space networks, improve the urban design and • town centre living. planning.act.gov.au 1
1. Introduction In 2004, the ACT Government released a master 1.1 Study area plan for the Woden town centre (the centre) that analysed a series of planning considerations and The study area for the review of the 2004 Woden made recommendations to guide the future growth Town Centre Master Plan is illustrated by the dashed of the centre. blue line in Figure 2. The study area is located in the suburb of Phillip and bound by Melrose Drive, Since then, a number of recommendations from the Athllon Drive, Hindmarsh Drive and Yamba Drive. 2004 master plan have been realised such as the new police station, upgrades to the Phillip enclosed The study area includes Woden town centre, Phillip oval and sale of land for a structured car park on service trades area, Athllon Drive corridor and the the western side of the centre. Changes to the bus recreation precinct north of Launceston Street. interchange are also now being planned. It includes the eastern edge of the centre, containing Eddison Park, Woden Cemetery, Phillip In 2012, key strategic planning documents for the ovals, residential development and Canberra ACT were introduced including the ACT Planning Institute of Technology (CIT). The Canberra Hospital Strategy, Transport for Canberra and AP2: A New is not included, but is an important consideration as Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for the it is a large employment base at the eastern edge of ACT. The ACT Planning Strategy encourages a more the study area and provides important services for compact city by focusing urban intensification in the Canberra community. town centres, around group centres and along the major public transport routes. The ACT Planning In 2013, the population of the Woden Valley was Strategy identified Woden town centre and 34,657 and Phillip was 2,188. Most Phillip residents Mawson group centre for investigation for urban reside in Swinger Hill. Compared to the ACT intensification in association with the Athllon Drive population, Woden Valley is under represented in rapid transit corridor. the 15 to 44 year age groups and over represented in the 55 years and over age groups. However, in Phillip In February 2014, the ACT Government released a (including the Woden town centre) the population is discussion paper outlining some of the key planning skewed towards the 20 to 39 year age groups. issues for both centres to help generate discussion and draw out the community’s concerns and ideas. The centre has a significant employment base within the ACT, with Commonwealth departments The Woden town centre and Mawson group centre and retail being the largest employers. The centre were considered together to allow comprehensive has a number of important community, education analysis of a diverse range of strategic planning and recreation uses including Woden Community issues and the relationships between the two Services, child care facilities, health-related facilities, centres. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the master plan Woden Library, Canberra College, CIT, Eddison Park, study areas. pocket parks and ovals. Two draft master plans have been prepared Unlike other town centres in the ACT, Woden town because each area has its own community interests, centre does not have a large water feature such as characteristics and challenges. a lake. However, the centre benefits from parkland setting in the east of the town centre with Eddison This Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan provides Park, Woden Cemetery and the Phillip ovals. a review of the 2004 master plan and recommends Yarralumla Creek, which runs along Athllon Drive and a new vision, spatial framework, planning strategies Callam Street, also has the opportunity to provide an and recommendations that respond to the interesting focal point as the centre grows. development pressures experienced in the centre. This is based on the background analysis and initial Lovett Tower is the tallest building in the centre community engagement activities undertaken as and can be seen from several vantage points part of the master plan process. in Canberra, including Red Hill lookout and the National Arboretum. planning.act.gov.au 3
Figure 1: The Woden and Mawson master plan study areas HUGHES Ya mba Phillip Dr LYONS Oval ive Eddison Park GARRAN Woden Town Centre Westfield The Canberra Hospital CIT Hind mar sh D rive CHIFLEY Phillip Service SWINGER HILL Trades (PHILLIP) Area O’MALLEY Athllon Drive PEARCE Mawson MAWSON Group Centre TORRENS metres 0 100 200 300 400 500 4 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
Figure 2: The Woden Town Centre Master Plan study area HUGHES LYONS Phillip Ya Oval m ba Dr ive Eddison Park GARRAN Woden Town Callam Str Centre Woden Cemetery eet The Canberra Hospital Melro se Dr Westfield ive CIT Hind mar sh D rive CHIFLEY SWINGER HILL Phillip (PHILLIP) Service Trades Area Athllon Drive Corridor MAWSON PEARCE metres 0 100 200 300 400 500 planning.act.gov.au 5
Figure 3: Block and Section Map 12 LEGEND 11 HUGHES Section boundary 10 9 CURTIN 24 10 Section number 15 3 8 13 4 Block boundary 1 4 10 Block number 104 22 1 Ya 2 8 79 1 m ba 3 23 7 2 Dr 13 16 2 18 14 13 111 ive 17 Lau 68 15 3 nce Street 3 41 ston 8 32 16 27 28 3 176 22 7 66 34 6 21 18 15 113 10 88 119 8 31 30 1 8 7 82 80 33 131 49 38 62 9 8 81 7 1 29 1 8 50 80 59 34 5 51 77 58 36 134 2 52 68 5 24 35 1 1 160 Callam 17 85 23 4 1 171 135 19 21 11 27 84 54 20 1 23 109 20 86 12 6 12 8 21 6 7 13 6 81 7 6 Street LYONS 1 12 2 64 166 31 5 1 132 4 5 7 16 17 29 30 159 34 10 5 11 3 1 2 6 4 32 4 3 8 177 7 3 8 13 10 19 10 12 2 8 4 2 33 3 13 2 3 165 5 1 19 4 19 9 2 12 12 6 156 2 1 6 2 14 15 4 13 17 1634 164 11 14 1 3 18 14 105 2 10 7 15 18 1 4 15 17 5 3 2 65 1 15 17 3 18 19 16 26 158 22 87 17 5 4 11 12 Melro 18 9 20 23 21 10 20 16 1 25 26 21 24 Hind se Dr 17 25 7 8 7 20 2 3 mar 1 1011 2 43 1213 44 261 PHILLIP 10 sh D ive 19 18 1415 2714 15 3 rive 1 16 22 23 42 10 1213 53 14 1 11 13 5 45 12 13 15 1 4 CHIFLEY 18 40 46 6 2 4 5 7 12 14 30 1 41 20 3 1 1 3 5 2 28 7 6 4 1 47 1 8 39 6 33 2 45 7 3 6 17 19 1 23 13 1516 18 484 14 112 5 8 29 4385 37 1 2 334 9 54 9 3 1 1 5 24 7 6 4 2 1 1 50 15 31 MAWSON 36 5 3 14 12 13 4 8 20 9 3214 135 67 8 107 3 Athllon Drive 2 2 106 3 19 14 39 41 6 21 27 19 22 10 PEARCE 7 32 49 25 31 37 38 33 BLOCK AND SECTION MAP 6 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
1.2 Block and section map The master plan is a non-statutory planning document. However, once endorsed by the ACT Blocks and sections are referred to in this document. Government, it will be translated into a precinct Figure 3 provides a quick reference to help the reader code to be incorporated into the Territory Plan, the identify blocks and sections within the study area. key statutory planning framework in the ACT. The draft master plan responds to broader strategic 1.3 Importance of the master plan planning policies for the ACT and background A master plan defines what is important about a analysis on issues and opportunities in the centre. place and identifies opportunities for preserving and In the first stage of the master plan process the enhancing the quality of that place. Environment and Planning Directorate consulted, in particular with Woden Valley residents, local This master plan provides a vision, a spatial businesses, community groups, ACT Government framework and strategies to guide the development agencies and private interest groups. Background of the Woden town centre over the next 20+ years. analysis and community engagement processes helped to identify priorities for improving the centre, which informed this draft master plan. View of Woden town centre looking south. Image courtesy of CMTEDD planning.act.gov.au 7
1.4 Master plan process Figure 4: Master plan process The master plan process includes three main Master Plan Process stages as illustrated in Figure 4 with opportunities for stakeholders and the public to provide input in Stages 1 and 2 of the master plan process. Background The process commenced with Stage 1 and involved analysis and scope project gathering and analysis of information, including community engagement, to help inform the Stage 1 preparation of this draft master plan. The draft master plan represents Stage 2 of the process. Feedback on this draft master plan is Project launch and sought from stakeholders and the community. discussion paper. Engagement with key stakeholders and directorates Feedback will be used to inform Stage 3, the Seek community development of the final master plan for input for 6 weeks government consideration. Implementation of the master plan may include land release, capital works (subject to future budgets) and new planning controls in the form of a precinct Prepare draft Preparation of draft Precinct Code and variation to the Territory Plan code in the Territory Plan. Figure 4 shows how the Master Plan preparation of a precinct code can run concurrently Stage 2 with the master planning process. 1.4.1 Community engagement Community The master plan process includes community engagement on engagement with a number of stakeholders at key draft Master Plan, stages of the master planning process. Community planning controls engagement forms a critical part of the analysis in the for 6 weeks early stages of the master planning process and in refining recommendations in the draft master plan. Prepare final The background and analysis section of this draft Master Plan master plan and the Community Engagement considering input Report – Stage 1 provide details of how community from stakeholders Stage 3 and community engagement has been undertaken and a summary of messages heard from the first stage of community engagement. The engagement report can be found at: www.act.gov.au/wodenandmawson Final Master Plan Implementation Land release sequence, renew Precinct Code, possible capital works for consideration in future budgets 8 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
‘Meet the planners’ session in Woden Plaza, design ideas and lessee and traders workshop planning.act.gov.au 9
Pedestrian spine and office core area 10 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
2. Planning context 2.1 Strategic planning 2.1.3 Climate change action plan The draft master plan is a strategic policy document AP2: A New Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan that seeks to translate the ACT Government’s for the ACT (2012) is the ACT Government’s strategic broader metropolitan policies at a local level. policy on climate change. AP2 guides the Territory’s The following section outlines the policy context strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% that applies to the Woden town centre. of 1990 levels by 2020 and to transition the ACT to zero net emissions by 2060. 2.1.1 ACT Planning Strategy AP2 provides a pathway to achieve emission The ACT Planning Strategy (2012) responds to reductions through energy efficiency and increased the changes in ACT’s economic, demographic use of renewable energy. It also identifies and environmental circumstances. The strategy opportunities for improved environmental outlines a series of directions that will create a more performance of buildings and infrastructure. sustainable city: The projections for the ACT and region are for an • focusing urban intensification in town centres and increasingly hotter and drier climate with more group centres supported by public transport to extreme weather events. Since 2009 the ACT improve the vibrancy of centres Government has been taking mitigation actions and • improving the urban quality and liveability of assisting the community to increase its resilience. Canberra • managing the land and natural resources of the area to conserve where appropriate and to manage growth to ensure a prosperous region Figure 5: ACT Planning Strategy focuses growth in town centres, around group centres and along • supporting convenient access to a range of transport corridors. facilities, services and opportunities for social interaction by reinforcing the role of group centres as community hubs. Strategy 1 is of particular relevance to this process and promotes a more compact and efficient city by focussing urban growth in town centres, around group centres and along main transit corridors, as illustrated in Figure 5. 2.1.2 Transport for Canberra Transport for Canberra is a companion policy to the ACT Planning Strategy (2012). It seeks to intergrate urban planning and transport to improve services in Canberra over the next 20 years. Key policy directions include: • integrating land use and transport through the Frequent Network of public transit corridors • making walking and cycling the easiest travel options to encourage active travel, and • strategically managing the road network and parking. planning.act.gov.au 11
Examples of significant mitigation measures are: 2.2. Statutory planning • legislating emission reduction targets for the ACT 2.2.1. National Capital Plan in 2010: zero by 2060; 80% by 2050; 40% by 2020 (based on 1990 levels) The National Capital Plan is the strategic plan for the ACT that is managed by the National Capital • investing in renewable energy sources (solar and Authority. It ensures that Canberra and the Territory wind) to meet the ACT’s renewable energy target are planned and developed in accordance with their of 90% by 2020 (introduced in 2013) national significance. • introducing the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme obliging ACT electricity retailers to help The National Capital Plan includes ‘designated’ customers save energy areas, which are areas considered to be of national importance and include the central national area, • adopting the Carbon Neutral ACT Government national institutions, diplomatic areas, Lake Burley Framework with its target of zero net operational Griffin, approach routes to the city and hills, ridges emissions by 2020, and and buffers. While there is no designated land • investing in public transport, including Capital within the master plan study area, the Woden Valley Metro light rail, and improving the cycle and has large areas, such as the hills, ridges and buffers pedestrian networks. that separate Woden Valley from other districts. There is also designated land within the suburb of 2.1.4 ACT water strategy O’Malley to the south-east of the study area. The ACT Water Strategy 2014–44: Striking the Balance was endorsed by the ACT Government in 2.2.2 Territory Plan July 2014. The strategy incorporates three themes The Territory Plan is the key statutory planning and a detailed implementation plan. It will guide the document in the ACT, providing the policy framework management of the Territory’s water supply, water for the administration of land use and planning in the resources and catchment practices over the next 30 ACT. The purpose of the Territory Plan is to manage years. It builds on the original ACT Water Strategy, land use change in a manner consistent with strategic Think Water, Act Water. While the emphasis on the directions set by the ACT Government, Legislative original strategy was on water security following Assembly and the community. the 2003 bushfires and the Millennium Drought, Woden town centre is mostly zoned as commercial the new strategy will also focus on improved water CZ1, CZ2 and CZ3 as shown in Figure 6. Land along quality in lakes and streams and greater community Athllon Drive is mostly zoned as residential participation in a number of key components, such (RZ2: Suburban Core), with open space (PRZ1: Urban as improving catchment health. Open Space) directly north of Mawson group centre. Key community uses have community facility zoning (CFZ: Community Facility). A Territory Plan variation is a likely outcome of the master plan. The variation will implement a new precinct code into the Territory Plan to update the current Phillip Precinct Code. A precinct code outlines place-specific planning controls such as land use, building heights, building design elements, building setbacks and where active frontages should be located. Development applications for development in the centre are submitted and assessed against the Phillip Precinct Code and other general codes of the Territory Plan. 12 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
Yarra Glen Figure 6: Territory Plan land use zones LEGEND RZ1: Suburban HUGHES RZ2: Suburban Core CURTIN RZ4: Medium Density Residential Ya CFZ: Community Facilities mba CZ1: Core Dr CZ2: Business ive CZ3: Services CZ6: Leisure and Lau Accommodation nce ston Street PRZ1: Urban Open Spaces PRZ2: Restricted Access Recreation TSZ1: Transport Intertown Public Transport Route PHILLIP Callam LYONS Street Melro se Dr ive Hind mar PHILLIP sh D rive CHIFLEY MAWSON Athllon Drive PEARCE TERRITORY PLAN LAND USE ZONES planning.act.gov.au 13
2.3 Spatial context Woden town centre serves as a significant commercial and community hub within the Woden Canberra is a planned city. In the 1960s the National Valley. In 2011, the centre was estimated to Capital Development Commission, through the employ approximately 14,500 people with the main Metropolitan Plan for Canberra, identified several employers being Commonwealth Government districts outside of the central area. Woden was the departments and retail. Other important facilities first to be developed under this approach. and services include: Each district was planned with a hierarchy of • Canberra Institute of Technology commercial centres, including town, group and local • Clubs centres. This structure was intended to help develop strong communities that had good access to services • Emergency services facilities and jobs, and to reinforce Canberra’s relationship with • Phillip enclosed oval its setting. Town centres generally serve their wider • Phillip Community Health Centre district as the main commercial focus. Group centres provide shops and services for a ‘group’ of suburbs • Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Rink and local centres typically cater for a single suburb • Woden Senior Citizens Club or precinct. The ACT Planning Strategy supports the • The Canberra College centres hierarchy approach, and encourages a more compact city by focusing urban intensification in town • The Canberra Hospital centres, around group centres and along the major • Trade services public transport corridors. • Woden Cemetery The centre is located centrally within its metropolitan • Woden Community Centre context as shown in Figure 7. It is well serviced by • Woden Community Services main arterial roads and rapid public transport that link the centre to other group and town centres such • Woden District Youth Centre as the city centre, Tuggeranong and Mawson. • Childcare centres Woden town centre provides facilities and services • Woden Library (including the ACT Heritage to primarily serve the district of Woden Valley which Library), and includes 11 surrounding suburbs (excluding Phillip). • Woden Squash Centre. Services and facilities in the centre also support a wider district including the eight suburbs in Weston The Woden–Weston Creek population peaked in Creek. Other facilities, such as The Canberra the early 1970s at slightly above 60,000 and fell to Hospital and Woden Cemetery, provide services for about 57,100 in 2012, of which approximately 2188 the wider Canberra region. currently live in Phillip. While most of the population in Phillip (which includes the centre) is located in Swinger Hill, recent residential developments in the centre core (Sky Plaza and Woden Green) are contributing to population growth. 14 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
Figure 7: Spatial context for Woden town centre City Centre National Aboretum Canberra Parliament House Kingston Foreshore Molonglo Manuka Valley Oval Red Hill Fyshwick Light Industrial Area Woden Town Centre Weston Creek The Canberra Hospital s e tre o m Mawson il 5k Group Mt Taylor Centre Isaacs Ridge Hume Industrial Area Erindale Group Centre Tuggeranong Town Centre kilometres 0 1 2 3 4 5 planning.act.gov.au 15
2.4 Planning history 2.4.1 2004 Woden Town Centre Master Plan Woden Valley was Canberra’s first new town, with The 2004 Woden Town Centre Master Plan provided construction of the Woden town centre beginning a vision and a number of strategies for development in 1967. The first master plan for the centre was in the centre. The vision was: completed by the National Capital Development To foster growth of an innovative, safe Commission in 1965 and envisaged a medium rise and collaborative living and working centre in a cruciform layout, on a platform around a environment that values the social and town square. The 1965 plan (Figure 8) established physical heritage of Woden town centre. strong east–west and north–south pedestrian only connections that extended from the central town This review of the 2004 master plan is an opportunity square. Taller development up to 20 storeys was to evaluate the implementation of that vision over proposed close to the town square. Building heights the past ten years. were planned to gradually become lower towards A number of strategies for development in the the edge of the centre. centre were considered addressing sustainability, Early planning for the centre proposed significantly built form, active frontages, public transport, open large areas for surface car parking at the periphery spaces, car parking, walking and cycling. Figure 10 of the centre to accommodate approximately 4000 illustrates some of the key recommendations from vehicles. Large canopy trees were proposed in the the 2004 master plan. car parks to provide shade and to ‘soften’ the external Since the 2004 master plan was completed, a appearance of the centre, contrasting with the hard number of initiatives and development proposals landscaping of the internal pedestrian spaces. have emerged including new residential Planning was further developed by the National development in the centre (such as Sky Plaza and Capital Development Commission in a 1968 Woden Green), redevelopment and refurbishment master plan (Figure 9). The plan was designed to of office developments, upgrades to the enclosed accommodate approximately 10,000 employees oval and surrounds, the sale of a site for a structured in government and private offices, shops, hotels, car park on the western side of the centre and library, police station, post office and an adjoining planning for the new bus interchange. Several area of service trades and motor vehicle sales. residential developments have also been proposed The 1968 plan defined a recreation and sporting close to the retail core (Figure 11). precinct north of Launceston Street, which currently The 2004 master plan expressed the desire to accommodates the Phillip Oval. ‘break down’ the segregated land use precincts Several precincts established in the early planning by encouraging more active street frontages and are still evident today including the town square, residential development with a ‘human scale’ at retail centre, government office precinct, recreation ground floor level that incorporates awnings and precinct and Phillip service trades area. colonnades. Other directions in the 2004 master plan included providing more compact car parking Development through the 1980s and 1990s moved arrangements such as structured and basement car away from the structure established in the original parks, and improvements to public transport. planning. However the town square has remained a key focal point and public space that connects the Ten years after the 2004 master plan was prepared, land use precincts. there are still a number of recommendations that are yet to be realised. However, given the extent of The 2004 Woden Town Centre Master Plan development that has occurred and the introduction of reinforced the general structure of the centre the ACT Planning Strategy and Transport for Canberra, and introduced a number of new development it is appropriate to review the plan. proposals, some of which are only now being realised. The following section outlines the 2004 Planning controls in the Territory Plan are being master plan in more detail. evaluated as part of this master plan review, which may result in changes to the existing Phillip Precinct Code and Map. 16 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
Figure 8: Woden Town Centre Master Plan (1965) Figure 9: Woden Town Centre Master Plan (1968) planning.act.gov.au 17
Figure 10: Woden Town Centre Master Plan, 2004 18 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
Figure 11: Initiatives that have been implemented from the 2004 master plan Yarra Glen LEGEND HUGHES 1 Police station and CURTIN health centre 2 Phillip Oval and Eddison Park upgrades 3 New office space 4 Residential 2 Ya 5 Structured car park Phillip m ba Oval Dr Lau ive nce ston 2 2 4 3 Street 5 Eddison Park 3 3 Town Centre Core PHILLIP Callam LYONS 1 Melro Street 1 se Dr Westfield 4 The Canberra 4 ive Hospital CIT 4 Hind mar sh D rive CHIFLEY PHILLIP Service Trades MAWSON Athllon Drive PEARCE RECENT INITIATIVES planning.act.gov.au 19
Design ideas workshop 20 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
3 Background and analysis 3.1 Community engagement • current facilities are good, but are underutilised due to poor connections, lack of ‘green’ spaces Consultation for the Woden Town Centre Master and poor amenity of public spaces in general, and Plan includes two main stages. Each stage informs the master plan as it evolves. • the centre requires more vibrancy and activation, particularly after-hours and on weekends. 3.1.1 Stage 1 – February to April 2014 Further information on feedback from the For the first stage of community engagement, engagement can be found in the Stage 1 community Woden town centre and Mawson group centre engagement report available at: were investigated concurrently. This allowed for www.act.gov.au/wodenandmawson. Where comprehensive analysis and consideration of appropriate, these key messages and relevant metropolitan transport and land use relationships, background information have informed the and infrastructure for the area. Stage 1 identified development of this draft master plan. key issues from the community and stakeholders, and challenges and opportunities for each of the 3.1.2 Stage 2 – Draft master plan centres. Approximately 300 people participated. Stage 2 community engagement is seeking community feedback on the draft master plan. This will be used to Key messages from Stage 1 of community further refine the master plan before it is presented to engagement for the Woden town centre included: the ACT Government for consideration. • general support for high-density, mixed-use residential development as a form of housing choice Community engagement will also be undertaken on provided buildings are of high quality and contribute any changes to the Territory Plan through a separate to the overall amenity of the public domain consultation process. • mixed views on building heights, with some supporting taller development in the retail core 3.2 Character and heritage and others preferring buildings limited to the The suburb of Phillip is named after Captain Arthur existing building heights Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales and • mixed views about the Athllon Drive corridor, with leader of the expedition to establish a settlement at some supporting transit-oriented development Botany Bay. Six of the eleven ships from the first fleet and others preferring retaining the corridor as an were commemorated through the naming of buildings informal recreational/green space in Woden town centre, including Scarborough House, • the need for better stormwater management in Alexander Building, Sirius Building, Penrhyn House, the Athllon Drive corridor Borrowdale House and Fishburn House. • mixed views towards residential development The buildings in the centre do not exhibit a high within the Phillip service trades area standard of architectural interest. However, there are four places registered on the ACT Heritage • the need for improved traffic management, Register that are considered significant: considering pedestrian and cycle connections across main arterial roads • Woden Library and Phillip Health Centre (1975–76) • the need for improved cycle and pedestrian • Woden Cemetery connections • Callam Offices (1978), and • supply and type of car parking needs to be • Swinger Hill Cluster Housing (not in the study area). considered Discovery House was assessed by the ACT Heritage • location of the new bus station needs to consider Council in 2008, along with Guardian House, and it relationship with other facilities were determined not to meet the threshold for heritage significance. Guardian House has since been demolished. planning.act.gov.au 21
Figure 12: Snapshot of Woden District and suburb of Phillip POPULATION DWELLINGS Population Population 24,043 dwellings in in ACT in Phillip Woden-Weston Creek 2003 327,357 2013 381,488 2003 1,753 2013 2,188 1300 Dwellings in Phillip (2011) 2031 493,500 2031 5,050 Population in Phillip anticipated to 67% Dwellings are detached Double by 2031 In the Woden Valley Median age Household types in Phillip 47% Single 32.6 Median age in Phillip 25% Couples 40.2 Median age in Woden Valley 12% Couples with children 34.5 Median age in ACT EMPLOYMENT TRANSPORT Transport modes used by 14,500 Woden workers Jobs in Woden Town Centre 77% Car 13.4% Bus 4.7% Walk 30% 2% Cycle Of Woden workers live in the Woden Valley Where Woden workers travel by car from 35% Tuggeranong 53% oaref jobs in the town centre public administration 28% Woden-Weston Creek 16% Central Canberra 14% oare f jobs in the town centre in retail 13% Belconnen 7% Gungahlin 22 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
3.2.1 Potential new heritage places or objects In 2013, the suburb of Phillip had an estimated An assessment of buildings, places and artwork population of 2188. This compares to a population was undertaken to assess the potential for new of 1753 in 2003 and 1991 in 2006. Most of the nominations of places or objects with any heritage population is located in Swinger Hill, with recent value. Six items were determined to have merit and housing developments in the centre core contributing could potentially be new heritage places and objects to population growth. Based on population including: projections, it is anticipated the population in the centre will more than double by 2032. • Woden town square and pedestrian spine • Sculptured Form artwork in the town square Woden town centre has the opportunity to provide a different housing choice for a growing ACT • Lollipop landmark (Corinna Street) population that is close to services, public transport, • Woden Town Park and Arabanoo Park retail and employment. • Eddison Park and 3.3.2 Employment • Woden Youth Centre. In 2011 there were an estimated 14,500 workers in These places and objects have not been nominated the centre, equating to approximately 6.6% of ACT to the ACT Heritage Register and require further employment. The main employers in the centre assessment to determine if they are of heritage value. are Commonwealth Government departments and retailing. Approximately 53% of employment in the centre is public administration. 3.3 Demographics The establishment of major Commonwealth offices 3.3.1 Population in town centres has been one of the city’s major Growth and change in Canberra’s population will planning achievements. At July 2014, the Woden generate demand for housing, offices, retailing, town centre had the most office space of the services, community facilities and associated town centres (189,300 m²). This compares to infrastructure. At April 2013, the population of 162,200 m² at the Belconnen town centre, the ACT was estimated to be 381,4881 with the 150,200 m² at the Tuggeranong Town Centre and population projected to reach 430,400 by 2021 and 4600 m² at the Gungahlin Town centre. 493,500 by 2031.2 The property market is cyclical and, in particular, In the Woden Valley, the population has increased is influenced by the level of Commonwealth from 32,962 in 2003 to 34,657 in 2013. Government activity. The level of vacancy in the This growth rate of 5.1% over the past decade is a centre was 10% in 1997 before falling to 0% in 2004 relatively modest increase when compared to other and increased to 28% in 2010 when an additional established centres including Canberra Central 49,000 m² was added to the centre. The level of (24.1%) and Belconnen (11.6%).3 office vacancy at July 2014 was 18.3%, compared to Compared to the ACT population, Woden-Weston an ACT average vacancy of 13.6%4 Creek is under represented in the 15–44 year age groups and over represented in the 55 years and over age groups. However, the age structure of Phillip is dominated by the 20–39 year age groups and underrepresented in the 0–19 year age groups when compared to the ACT and Woden–Weston Creek. 1 ABS Population by Age and Sex, Regions of the ACT (cat. 3235) 28 August 2014 2 ACT Projection of resident population 2013-62 ACT Government, January 2014 3 ABS Regional Population Growth of the ACT (cat. 3218) April 2014 4 Property Council of Australia’s Office Market Report, July 2014 planning.act.gov.au 23
3.4 Land use While a number of larger sites close to the centre are specifically zoned under community facility land 3.4.1 Land use zones use zone (CFZ), a relatively limited amount of CFZ The centre is comprised of a number of land exists within the centre itself. However, a number of use zones. However the retail core, northern other land use zones allow for community facilities. recreation precinct and the service trades areas are predominately made up of commercial land All the sites within the centre zoned CFZ are occupied. use zones, being CZ1 Core, CZ2 Business and CZ3 Community facilities located in CFZ land are listed in Services. Each land use zone has its own Zone Table 1 and shown in Figure 14. Objectives under the Territory Plan that outlines the type of uses, mix of uses and the character. Table 1: Community facilities located in CFZ land use Existing development in the CZ1 land use zones Facility Location mainly consists of the Woden Plaza (Westfield Woden CIT Block 17 Section 1 shopping centre), bus interchange, structured parking and other retail uses. The CZ1 land use zone Woden Early Childhood Centre Block 21 Section 80 provides the most flexibility in terms of allowable Woden District Youth Centre Block 23 Section 80 uses and restrictions on floor space. The Canberra College Block 7 Section 79 Development in the CZ2 land use zone currently Woden Library (including the ACT Block 27 Section 8 consists mostly of Commonwealth Government Heritage Library) offices and smaller commercial offices. Development in the CZ3 land use zone consists of a mix of Phillip Health Centre Block 21 Section 8 services, retail, trades, offices and depots. The Senior Citizens Club Block 17 Section 12 allowable floor space is generally limited for shops and supermarkets in this zone. Lollipop Children’s Centre Block 1 Section 12 Residential use is permitted in all three of the above Woden Community Services Block 1 Section 12 commercial land use zones. Betsy Gallagher Park is located on community facility In the centre, most sites are privately leased. zoned land associated with the adjoining community There are only a few sites still owned by the ACT centre. Other important community facilities Government as illustrated in Figure 13. Most of the serving a regional catchment include the Woden larger sites are surface car parks. Cemetery and The Canberra Hospital. In the short to medium term it is likely that urban 3.4.2 Community facilities intensification through population growth and the Woden town centre plays an important district increase in people working in the study area will and regional role, providing essential facilities and create additional demand for community facilities services for the Woden Valley, Weston Creek and and service provision. This may place pressure on ACT. Serving the combined Woden Valley-Weston existing facilities or create the demand for new or Creek catchment includes The Canberra College, different types of facilities and service provision. Woden Library, Phillip Community Health Centre, CIT and Woden Senior Citizens Club. There may also be Given the current mix of residents and future initial demand on Woden facilities and services from population projections, it is expected young adults the residents of the Molonglo Valley until facilities and families may move into the area. This could are provided in the Molonglo Valley. result in a high proportion of younger and older residents. 24 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
Figure 13: Land custodianship in the town centre core Yarra Glen LEGEND HUGHES Leased Territory land CURTIN TAMS - other unleased assets - carparks, public transport & depots - unleased TAMS - other unleased assets - municipal - unleased Phillip Ya TAMS vacant (other) m ba municipal - unleased Oval Dr Lau nce ive Other ACT government ston Street agency - public land - Eddison Park unleased Callam Other ACT government Street agency - not public land - Unleased Town Centre Core PHILLIP LDA - unleased LYONS Government lease Police Melro TAMS public land - se Dr Westfield Municipal unleased TAMS Public places - ive roads - unleased Canberra CIT Hind mar sh D rive CHIFLEY PHILLIP Service Trades MAWSON Athllon Drive PEARCE LAND CUSTODIANSHIP planning.act.gov.au 25
The community centre Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) The existing community centre in the western CIT has six locations in the ACT including Bruce, side of the centre includes Woden Community Fyshwick, Gungahlin, Reid, Tuggeranong and Woden. Services and the Lollipop Children’s Centre. CIT employs over 1000 staff and offers more than Woden Community Services is one of six regional 480 vocational education courses. community services within Canberra. A not-for- profit organisation, it has been providing a broad The Woden CIT campus is on the corner of range of services to people in the Woden Valley Ainsworth Street and Hindmarsh Drive in Phillip. since 1969. The existing facilities are ageing and the bulk of students reside outside the Woden area. The Lollipop Children’s Centre is a 60 place centre with capacity for 15 babies (under 2 years old), The ACT Government is currently considering 16 toddlers (2-3 years old) and 29 children several options for the campus such as redeveloping (3 years to school age). on the existing site or relocating to an alternative site, possibly within the town centre. If a new The community centre is close to the Woden Library, development is realised, it is likely to reconsider Phillip Community Health Centre and surrounding the style of development, one example being the private health sector providers. Engagement with Gungahlin CIT hub, and linkages to the Performing stakeholders found that community facilities in this Arts Centre at Canberra College at Phillip. area are difficult to access. The existing community centre buildings require upgrading to meet the 3.4.3 Sport and recreation facilities functional requirements for each facility and to cater The centre provides a range of sporting and for predicted increase in community needs. recreation facilities as shown in Table 2 and Figure 14. The ACT Government is currently investigating An assessment of sport and recreation facilities redevelopment or relocation opportunities within found there is demand in the longer term for the town centre. additional recreation uses in the centre such as tennis courts, multi-indoor courts, upgrades to the Emergency services existing parks in the centre, community gardens, The existing emergency services sites in Phillip are an off-leash district dog walking area and active located on Block 17 Section 5 and Block 2 Section recreation/exercise spaces. Athllon Drive also has 26 Phillip, on the corner of Botany Street and potential to provide a number of informal sport and Hindmarsh Drive. The facilities include a fire and recreation facilities and informal exercise spaces ambulance station, and are not considered to meet associated with residential development. the future operational user requirements. Table 2 Sport and recreation facilities The Phillip fire and ambulance stations are identified Facility Description for review in phase 4 of the ACT Government’s Park Eddison Park, including skate park and picnic ares. emergency service station upgrade and relocation strategy. Currently, the strategy is in phase 2. Park Town Park/Arabanoo Park Several options will be considered for the Park Betsy Gallagher Park redevelopment of these facilities including a newly Sport Phillip Oval built station, collocated on a single site. Sport Woden Park Athletics Field A land area of 6500 to 7000 m² would be required Sport Phillip District Playing Field, including Phillip to collocate these facilities in a location on, or very enclosed oval close to, an arterial road. Sport Woden Basketball Centre Sport Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Rink Sport Woden Squash Centre Club Woden Tradesmen’s Union Club Club Woden Hellenic Club Club Canberra Southern Cross Club 26 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
Figure 14: Community, sport and recreation facilities Pk Yarra Glen LEGEND Pw HUGHES Ac Aged care CURTIN Cc Childcare Cs Community services E Education Es Emergency services Cc Lc Licensed clubs E Lc Pw Ac M Medical facilities Pw Ro Ya E Phillip E mb Pk Parks Ri Ri Oval Ro aD Pk Cs riv Pw Places of worship Ac Lau nce Ro e Cs E ston Street Ri Indoor recreation Cs Eddison Park facilities E Cs Pk Ro Outdoor recreation Ac Town Centre M facilities Pk Pw Pw Core Ri Community facility Ri PHILLIP Rozoned land Cs Cs Callam LYONS Pw Cs Library Woden E E Cs Pk Woden Pk E Cc M Street Cemetery Es M Cs Westfield The Canberra M Ro Hospital M CIT Cs Lc Melro Cs E E Es Hind M se Dr Es mar sh D M ive rive M Pw Cs PHILLIP E Cs M CHIFLEY Cs Cs Cs Cs Cs Cs Cs E Pw Cs Cs Es Pw MAWSON Service Trades E Pw Athllon Drive Pw Cc E PEARCE Cc Cc Pk COMMUNITY AND RECREATION FACILITIES planning.act.gov.au 27
3.4.4 Northern entertainment, A number of recent development proposals have accommodation and leisure precinct emerged through development applications and The northern precinct of the centre (north of include a number of residential units as illustrated in Launceston Street) is experiencing a change Figure 15. in the type of uses being proposed. The 2004 Land available for new residential development is master plan recommended the precinct include limited, with most developable sites being surface provision for office and residential on the upper car parking, as illustrated in Figure 13. floors of buildings. The Territory Plan incorporated residential use into this precinct to implement the 3.4.6 Commercial and retail 2004 master plan, but also permitted residential use Woden town centre is a major employment centre on the ground floor of development. that includes office, retail and service trades. Recent redevelopment proposals in this precinct are Growth and change in Canberra’s population will seeking to deliver mostly residential development, generate demand for housing, offices, retailing, which could begin to change the precinct character, health services, community facilities and associated but will also provide more after-hours activity. infrastructure. Entertainment and leisure facilities in this precinct The first retail releases in the town centre were include the Phillip Oval, squash courts, basketball in 1972 when Woden Plaza opened. Retail is centre, health club and the Phillip Swimming and the second largest employment base in the Ice Skating Centre. Analysis of aquatic centres centre, which benefits from the large number of for the district found there is demand for a single Tuggeranong and South Canberra residents who aquatic centre in the medium to long term. shop there. 3.4.5 Town centre living In 2011, there was an estimated 202,652 m² gross floor area (GFA) of retail and commercial space in Housing demand in the ACT is likely to average the centre, excluding major offices. Located in the around 2400 dwellings a year between 2011 and retail core (38%) and the Phillip service trades area 2031. The city centre and town centres could (62%), it represents a provision of 3.57 m² per capita attract 20 to 25% of this demand, which translates in Woden. This is relatively high when compared to an annual average demand of between 500 and to Canberra City (3.2 m²), Belconnen (3.05 m²), 600 dwellings a year. The Woden town centre share Tuggeranong (2.12 m²) and Gungahlin (1.58 m²). is likely to be 100 to 150 dwellings a year. This high rate of retail space per capita could be In Woden–Weston Creek, approximately 73% of due to the substantial inflow of expenditure from dwellings are detached single dwellings. In Woden Tuggeranong residents. Valley, approximately 67% of dwellings are detached. There is opportunity for the centre and surrounding Expansion of Woden Plaza areas to offer other housing types that provide The proposed expansion of Woden Plaza is associated more housing choice in locations that are close to with the proposed Woden bus interchange and bus services, shopping and employment. network improvements. The shopping centre will While residential development is permitted in most expand east onto Callam Street and is likely to include areas of the centre, it has only been built in recent a large retail anchor with several speciality shops years. Developments have included Sky Plaza, fronting the new bus station. The expansion will Woden Green and along Melrose Drive in Lyons. increase retail use in Woden Plaza by approximately a further 20,000 m². More parking is likely to be included as part of the proposal. 28 Woden Town Centre Draft Master Plan
Figure 15: Recent development proposals in Woden town centre Yarra Glen LEGEND HUGHES 1 Lease variation CURTIN 2 DA approved 3 Current DA Land release 1 4 Under construction 3 Known proposals for future development Phillip Ya / redevelopment m ba Oval 4 Dr Lau nce ive 2 ston Street 4 Eddison Park Town Centre 2 Core Callam 2 PHILLIP LYONS 2 Street Melro 4 se Dr Westfield 4 The Canberra ive Hospital 3 CIT 2 Hind mar sh D rive 2 2 1 CHIFLEY PHILLIP Service Trades 1 1 2 MAWSON Athllon Drive PEARCE RECENT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS planning.act.gov.au 29
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