Apartment dwellers are calling on political parties to commit to new noise limits ahead of the October ACT election as the city's growing number of high and medium mixed-use developments along transport corridors changes the character of Canberra.
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Owners Corporation Network president Gary Petherbridge says from a city of homes behind hedges and heritage-listings, Canberra is transforming into large areas of noisy apartment towers rising above two levels of hotels, restaurants and hairdressers.
As the ACT government announces new projects along major transport corridors like Northbourne Avenue, the OCN is lining up political parties before the territory's election, to explain how new laws will deal with a rapid increase in strata developments along the light rail route and other transport corridors.
Mr Petherbridge said people buying into Kingston Foreshore expected noise. "It is well and truly protected as a mixed-use precinct, people who turn around and buy there, you would hardly expect them to blame people running restaurants [for noise]," he said.
But in NewActon and the city, residents moving their families into strata units had been caught out with unexpected disturbances, such as the coming and going of people in hotel-type accommodation.
"Recently there has been considerable emphasis on development of mixed use complexes including residential and commercial services," Mr Petherbridge said. "Currently there are gaps in legislation to fairly support the diverse interests in such complexes."
Mr Petherbridge was a founder of the owners network about nine years ago coinciding with a surge in medium and high-rise apartments. "All our members believe they have a problem, they don't join because they are happy, they have specific issues," he said.
Building quality has been a big issue, and now the OCN expects the large number of new apartments along transport corridors and town centres to raise more issues.
"Canberra is at the crossroads. You have redevelopments like the ABC flats in Civic, all along there you are going to find a different demographic, including good places for people who need support in housing," he said.
Planning Minister Mick Gentleman will present the government's latest strata policies at the forum on August 15. Opposition Deputy Leader Alistair Coe, the Greens Shane Rattenbury, and senior ACT bureaucrats will address the unit owners on allocating land for developments, criteria for quality, location and building form, building regulations and licensing.
"The OCN believes all members of the assembly wish to see a successful strata sector in the ACT which provides suitable housing options for the community," Mr Petherbridge said.
Former Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur would also make a presentation. Mr Petherbridge said the assembly increasing from 17 to 25 members at the next election would bring a broader mix of views to deal with Canberra's growing population.
