The push to build bridges across the Murrumbidgee to expand Tuggeranong westwards is gaining momentum with the idea now being examined by the National Capital Authority.
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NCA chief planner Andrew Smith said if new suburbs were built west of the river, as first proposed three decades ago, it would help rejuvenate the tired Tuggeranong precinct.
He is reviewing the reasons for the previous knockback and believes two bridges would need to be built if it went ahead.
“We will try to try to find out the details of the issues that led to that [adverse] decision being made and try to establish whether there are still contemporary concerns,” he said.
The Abbott government has formally requested the NCA investigate the potential for urban development in west Tuggeranong, an idea that was proposed 30 years ago but quashed by the Whitlam government.
As reported in The Canberra Times in April, Liberal Senator Zed Seselja is pushing for a re-think of the plan, to help revitalise the Tuggeranong valley.
“The great thing about this is, even though we're talking about greenfields, we are talking about greenfields very close to the town centre. That's the best form of greenfields development, it’s close to employment and public transport and facilities,” he said.
Senator Seselja said reaction over the past few months to his plan was more positive than he had expected.
“I think the ACT government should've been driving this,” he said.
“We talk about the territory taking control of its planning and other issues, surely this is pretty fundamental to the territory’s self-government.”
The previous development proposal was made by the now defunct National Capital Development Authority.
It is understood the plan was rejected by then federal minister Tom Uren to preserve a development-free corridor along the western side of the river.
An amendment to the National Capital Plan and a variation to the Territory Plan would be required before any new urban development could proceed at West Murrumbidgee.
Such an amendment would involve changing the land use policy from rural and open space zonings, to urban zonings.
The ACT government is wary about the plan and, while it does not rule in or rule out the proposal, it suggests there are challenges for the plan.
Newly installed Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said the government was already working on land releases, but in other areas.
"The ACT government is focusing on working within the 2013 Planning Strategy in relation to land release," he said.
"This includes urban town infill, like SouthQuay in Tuggeranong and existing identified greenfield areas such as Molonglo.
"I would be more than happy to meet with the National Capital Authority in my capacity as Planning Minister to talk about this potential new land development west of the Hyperdome.
"There are many challenges with moving development over the Murrumbidgee River and I would expect a full and detailed community consultation before the ACT varied the Territory Plan."
Federal MP Gai Brodtmann whose electorate includes Tuggeranong, said she supported moves to ensure the town centre stayed alive and thriving.
"I welcome conversations about the future of Tuggeranong but what we need is short and medium term solutions to the challenges Tuggeranong currently faces," she said.
"That's why I welcome the ACT government's Tuggeranong master plan and the proposals it has for infill.
"I've been proposing the postcode 2900 concept, which is to convert the office space and shop space in the heart of the Tuggeranong town centre to residential spaces, as well as locating a CIT on Anketell Street.
"I want to take a closer look at the [West Tuggeranong] proposal because from what I've heard, it is going to be expensive and have a significant environmental impact.
"There will need to be a bridge and that is going to cost a lot."
Mr Smith said the demographics of Tuggeranong were changing as the area went through its first stage of evolution.
“So something like this [development] would really energise that precinct,” he said.
“You can leverage off the fairly significant infrastructure in the Tuggeranong town centre and all the amenity that is down there.
“Certainly if there were greater residential populations, people would be able to use those businesses, that precinct would be more viable and more vibrant.
“The decision was taken in the early 1980s not to pursue that area of urban expansion [west of the river].
“We're looking back to see what happened and try to determine if those concerns of the time are still relevant today.
“We will pull out the files and find out what was considered and how that decision was made because 30 years is a long time and there might have been issues or circumstances at the time that are no longer current.”
Federal Minister Jamie Briggs said he had asked the NCA to revisit the concept.
The NCA will develop a business case and a detailed report outlining any issues that may affect the suitability of the West Murrumbidgee region for urban development.
Mr Briggs said the report would determine if the previous environmental and infrastructure concerns related to the development of the area were still relevant today.
“As part of its analysis, the NCA will consult with the ACT government and other interested stakeholders and prepare a report outlining the issues that affect the suitability of West Murrumbidgee for urban development," he said.
