The rejection of the proposed redevelopment of Manuka Oval by the GWS Giants and developers Grocon is somewhat of a surprise given the widespread view it was already a done deal.
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It immediately points to a government that is wary of the huge wave of community resentment towards the project and the attitude of a Chief Minister to get world-class facilities, despite the cost to the bush capital values held within the territory.
The community should have been brought on board from the very start.
If there's anything to be learnt from this debacle, it's that the unsolicited bid process needs a rethink; clearly the community does not accept the developer-initiated approach.
There has been strong commentary recently of a perceived lack of transparency within the government over planning and development decisions.
This $800 million proposal was cast in a grey shadow early on when it was revealed by The Canberra Times that the husband of Labor minister Meegan Fitzharris was working on the plans.
Pierre Huetter resigned from Dowse Projects three weeks after he was present at a briefing on the Manuka plans to his wife, who is the Transport and Municipal Services Minister.
In addition, former deputy chief executive of the Land Development Agency Dan Stewart was also working on the bid as part of his new consulting role, after leaving the government in August last year.
While there is no suggestion of impropriety by these individuals, it adds to the angst the community feels about the transparency of this Labor government.
The initial bid for the Manuka precinct earlier this year might have been unsolicited but it matched Andrew Barr's vision for a way of attracting regular national sporting events to the capital.
It is an admirable trait to want the best for Canberra but, in this case, ripping up one of Canberra's most-loved and historical areas for apartments and a commercial precinct was not a trade-off the community was willing to accept.
That the Barr government has decided to reject the proposal and suddenly embrace the community's views on the Manuka precinct is a sign an election is near.
The establishment of a "panel of community representatives" will take time and ensure the controversial issue is off the agenda until after October 15.
One hopes the final plan, when it is eventually developed, will deliver the best outcome for Canberra and its residents, as has been promised.
