THE ACT government is planning big changes to the former Higgins Primary School site and Higgins Oval.
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The community is being asked to take part in consultation sessions this week to discuss development possibilities.
The school site could immediately accommodate a childcare centre, retirement village or aged care accommodation without changes to the Territory Plan.
Higgins Oval is in line for a total transformation.
Minister for Economic Development Andrew Barr said it was an exciting project.
“I’m particularly interested in feedback from residents on converting the decommissioned Higgins Oval into a community recreation park that could include an irrigated open grass area for informal sports and physical recreation activities, an outdoor gym, cricket nets, a basketball court, children’s playground and shaded seating,’’ he said.
“The park would be similar to the one in Crace, which has been hugely successful.’’
Economic Development Directorate executive director of policy and projects Louise Gilding said they wanted community engagement about the plans.
There were a number of scenarios for the school site and the adjacent oval that did and didn’t require variations to the Territory Plan.
Meanwhile Ms Gilding said the plans for the decommissioned oval would need to be combined with some housing for the site.
‘‘In order to actually pay for the development, say of a community park somewhere on the site, we will need to have residential development.’’
However, she believes such a redevelopment could revitalise the Higgins shops.
Higgins pharmacist Daniel Gough said he would be taking part in the consultation.
“I plan on being there for this and putting my two cents in,’’ Mr Gough said.
He’d like to see some practice tennis courts for the kids but what was most critical was the inclusion of a community hall and public amenities such as toilets. He said there were no public toilets anywhere near Higgins shops.
Another thing he’d like to see was some landscaping between the oval and the shops to allow better access for the elderly.
The government will host consultations on the Higgins plans at the Raiders Club Belconnen, 152 Hardwick Crescent, Holt.
The first consultation will take place on Wednesday, May 21, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm while a second consultation will take place on Saturday, May 24, from 11am to 1pm.
Member for Ginninderra Yvette Berry will host a community meeting about the development on Thursday, May 22 from 6pm at Higgins Community Hall, Fullagar Street, Higgins.
For more information call 62050600 or visit www.timetotalk.act.gov.au