The ACT government continues to meet opposition to its plan to relocate thousands of public housing tenants in Canberra, with concerns, this time in Tuggeranong, that it is unwittingly creating just another enclave of public housing.
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Among those concerned are existing public housing tenants already living in the area who say they are sick of having to put up with drug-dealing and episodes of violence in their complex.
It follows concerns expressed last week by Gungahlin residents who are objecting to a proposed public housing development slated for land next to the Franklin Early Childhood School.
Public Housing Renewal Taskforce director David Collett has confirmed that it is "assessing the potential" for a public housing development to be built on land bounded by Drakeford Drive and Mortimer Lewis Drive in Greenway on the eastern shores of Lake Tuggeranong.
Mr Collett said the taskforce was considering housing about 60 people at the site in two-bedroom units in a double-storey development.
There were likely to be about 24 units, but nothing had been finalised.
Mr Collett received an angry reception at last week's meeting of the Tuggeranong Community Council when he revealed the plan for the Greenway site.
Resident Glen Lance told officials at the meeting there were already two other public housing complexes in close proximity to the proposed site.
If the new development went ahead, it would effectively mean in the immediate neighbourhood there would be five residential developments, three of which were public housing.
"And that's a bit over the top," said another resident at the meeting who did not want to be named.
"It goes against everything they are talking about trying to decentralise public housing."
Mr Lance said the new development would add to what was becoming an enclave rather than remain true to the preferred "salt and peppering" option of dispersing public housing around Canberra.
"It's moving the enclave of Burnie Court to East Greenway," Mr Lance said.
There was already domestic violence and drug-dealing problems in the area, he said, suggesting that it was linked to the public housing.
That view was backed up by public housing tenant Mark Fowler, who lived in the same street as Mr Lance.
Mr Fowler said drug-dealing was routine in the area. His elderly mother, when visiting him, had knocked over a container of more than 20 used syringes in the common area.
He had lived above a woman who had been abused regularly by her partner in front of their young child.
He was also against any more public housing being built in Greenway.
"Because I care for this community and I'm concerned about it," Mr Fowler said.
The resident who did not want to be named said he had nothing against public housing per se and had bought into the area knowing it was there. "It can be a positive thing but we have also seen a lot of problems," he said.
There were also concerns about traffic volumes in the area and the potential height of any buildings.
Mr Lance said a variation to the Territory Plan over the subject land allowed, at least on part of the site, for buildings which were up to 13 metres high, effectively three storeys.
Officials met on site with some residents again on Monday.
The public housing renewal project will result in a minimum of 1288 residences being built or acquired to replace the ageing public housing along Northbourne Avenue and other areas in Canberra.
The project is also aimed at breaking down "concentrations of disadvantage".
Mr Collett said "a small section of land within the future development of Southquay, Greenway" was also being considered for replacement public housing.
"The taskforce will work closely with the local community and nearby residents during the assessment process," Mr Collett said.
The proposed development on Mortimer Lewis Drive would be "on a small part of the vacant land".
"Site investigations and the outcomes from community engagement will help determine the preferred location and configuration," he said.
"The size of the proposed development will be determined after the consultation.
"At this stage the taskforce is considering two-bedroom units in a double-storey development.
"Based on average occupancy of 2.25 people per dwelling, the development being considered would accommodate approximately 60 people."
When Mr Collett was asked about the potential for an enclave being created by another public housing development being added to the neighbourhood, he maintained that the Greenway proposal was still an example of a salt and pepper development.
"The initial consideration of a small group of units on this site is based on Housing ACT's experience," Mr Collett said.
"Dispersing public housing and reducing concentrations of disadvantage by salt and peppering small developments such as this is just one way in which Canberrans can send a clear signal that it is an inclusive community, and proud of providing a range of housing options for all Canberrans.
"The multi-unit developments from which these tenants will be relocated include complexes of more 400 dwellings."