The organisation representing city residents has given its support to the ACT government's plans for two new layover areas for the ACTION bus network.
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Under proposed changes to the Territory Plan announced last week, land at the corner of Barry Drive and Watson Street and land adjacent to the National Convention Centre will host layover facilities.
The sites will replace the layover on Marcus Clarke Street between Allsop Street and University Avenue.
Canberra City Residents Association president Joshua Ceramidas says the unsealed car park at Barry Drive and Watson Street is an appropriate place for a layover.
''It makes perfect sense, as the current layover is poorly placed and is an ineffective use of fairly valuable public land,'' he said. ''The sites that have been selected have had thought put into them and we have to find sites in the inner city where a facility of that nature can be placed.''
On Saturday, the Turner Residents Association described plans announced by Sustainable Development Minister Simon Corbell as ''lazy town planning''.
Spokesman Neil Parsons said the government had previously committed to returning the area to parkland.
The layovers allow bus drivers to park vehicles between services, rather than return to depots, and provide driver facilities including meal rooms and amenities.
The public has been invited to comment on the proposed rezoning, including the south-east corner of Phillip Oval and another block in the restricted zoning area.
A feasibility study said the site, in the flood zone close to Sullivan's Creek, only had capacity to accommodate the required number of buses until 2026. It could be landscaped and have acoustic shielding installed.
Mr Ceramidas said Canberra should look at Sydney and Melbourne examples and incorporate layovers in areas where they could exist with minimal local impact.
The site next to the Convention Centre is part of a large car park opposite the city campus of the Canberra Institute of Technology.
The land has been earmarked for development by 2016, and will require the layover to be incorporated into a new building.
''It makes sense there be a layover near the Convention Centre to provide for mass events,'' Mr Ceramidas said. ''As there is no additional detraction from open space, I think it is smart use of less prime land for a facility that needs to exist.''
He said new bus stops might need to be incorporated into the areas.
The association seeks to represent residents of Canberra's central city area, including the views of some in immediately adjacent suburbs such as Acton, Turner, Braddon and Reid.
''Thinking outside the square as we work through the Canberra City Plan and other things, that kind of direction is where we should be heading,'' Mr Ceramidas said.
More information at www.act.gov.au/draftvariations