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ISSUES - Molonglo and North Weston Suburban Development

DA 63 - National Capital Authority

DV 281 - ACT Planning and Land Authority (PDF 3.6MB)

DV 281 (revised) - ACTPLA 28/04/08 (PDF 2.9Mb)

ACTPLA Invitation to Comment
Planning Study Details

Conservation Council of the ACT position

The YRA has received copies of the Draft Variation for the new suburban development of Molonglo and North Weston from the National Capital Authority (DA 63) and ACT Planning and Land Authority (DV 281). Over the next 30 years it is proposed to establish a new urban area west of Tuggeranong Parkway and north of Cotter Road, ultimately housing around 73,000 people.

More information and Submission Deadline

The NCA will hold three information sessions on DA 63 at the National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point on:

Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 5.30-pm-8 pm
Saturday 13 October 2007, 9am-2pm
Thursday 8 November 2007, 5.20-8 pm.

The NCA should receive written submissions by 23 November 2007, and ACTPLA by 26 November 2007.

Comment

On a preliminary reading, the main impact of the proposal on Yarralumla residents would seem to be from increased traffic flows along Cotter Road. A major north-south arterial road through Molonglo-North Weston would link with Cotter Road west of Streeton Drive. A proposed east-west arterial would join the Parkway near Scrivener Dam.

It is proposed to allow a portion of the designated inner hills area to be used for urban development. However the DV states this development will 'be generally contained to the west of the ridge' to ensure it is not visible from Lake Burley Griffin and the National Capital Area. This will probably need to be monitored over time.

A series of horse trails are to be incorporated, linking existing facilities including Equestrian Park in Yarralumla, and connecting to recreation trails in the International Arboretum and Stromlo Forest Park.

Interested residents may care to look at the proposals on the NCA and ACTPLA websites, attend the public information sessions, or submit comments either directly or through the YRA.

Cotter Road traffic assessment:

We're a bit clearer about the impact of the proposed Molonglo-North Weston suburban development on Cotter Road. Appendix J of the Preliminary Assessment by the ACT Planning and Land Authority states that with a population of 15,000 in the new suburbs, Cotter Road would cope with two lanes at a morning peak traffic flow of 1180 vehicles per hour, but require upgrades at the McCulloch Street and Lady Denman Drive intersections. Three lanes and an upgrade at Adelaide Avenue would be needed when the population reaches 30,000 and 1438 vph. No time frame is given for a three-lane road, but it's perhaps 10-15 years. The assessment does not include any future developments in North Curtin or Weston Creek, and the YRA consider that Cotter Road may well require earlier upgrades.