Building height limits in Tuggeranong will be increased to as high as 12 storeys as the ACT government moves to increase the number of people using the existing town centre.
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A draft variation to the Territory Plan will see increased limits of six to seven storeys in the town centre, but heights will remain capped at present levels around the Lake Tuggeranong foreshore.
Construction of new office precincts will be encouraged along Athllon Drive and Soward Way with new height limits of eight to nine storeys.
A “landmark development” on the corner of Athllon Drive and Rowland Rees Drive could be as high as 12 storeys under the plan.
Car-parking requirements for new offices in the town centre will be reduced from 2.5 to 2 spaces per 100m2 of gross floor area.
Sustainable Development Minister Simon Corbell approved the draft variation on Tuesday and said it would consolidate the existing town centre by placing more people closer to existing businesses and reducing car dependency.
Mr Corbell said the government favoured improving the existing town centre, rather than extending Tuggeranong to the west side of the Murrumbidgee River, as advocated by Liberal senator Zed Seselja.
In April, the federal backbencher and former ACT opposition leader said the town centre would continue to “struggle” unless planning changes were made. Senator Seselja called for a debate about expanding Tuggeranong in line with the original plans for the area, dating to the 1960s.
Mr Corbell will table draft variation 318 in the ACT Legislative Assembly in coming weeks.
“The strong message we’ve received from the broader Tuggeranong community and stakeholders is that stimulating development and growth in the town centre is a priority,” he said.
“While there has been talk in the media about extending Tuggeranong to the west, the ACT government has been actively working on improvements that can be implemented now and within the town centre’s existing footprint.
Mr Corbell said parts of nearby Greenway would be rezoned for commercial mixed use development, with two sections also rezoned to extend the business area to both sides of Soward Way.
An underused section of land at the southern end of the lake will be rezoned to allow for medium-density residential developments.
“This increase in height will not be at the expense of the unique features and character of the town centre,” Mr Corbell said.
“Major views and vistas will be protected and the lake foreshore and public open spaces will not be overshadowed."
Tuggeranong Community Council acting president Glenys Patulny said the changes were better than measures in other Canberra town centres.
"It is leading to more infill, which I think is very important for the development of the area, particularly the commercial development," she said.
"I think this kind of thing could appeal to older people who don't want to drive and young people who don't want to have a garden at their home."
The council has supported previously supported a maximum of 12 storeys for commercial buildings in Tuggeranong.
"They seem to be thinking carefully about the unique features of the town centre, I am pleased with it compared to what is happening in Belconnen and Woden," Ms Patulny said.
"The pictures we've seen appear to be what town planning is all about."
