New look for inner south: more flats, less parking

The introduction of the RZ2 scheme to the suburb in February last year allowed for the development of more low-rise units and townhouses close to the Deakin Court shopping precinct, as long as they are in keeping with the suburban character.

And now the tensions are starting to show.

While an influx of development can leave local business owners and residents anxious about the future of their suburb, co-owner of Deakin café Double Shot, Omar Muscat, said he felt densification would enhance the strong sense of community in the area, rather than see it disappear.

"More developments will help build a sense of community that suburbs deserve in these parts of Canberra," he said.

"Our number of customers has grown since we moved in and I've noticed more businesses doing renovations in the area so they can move with the times and develop alongside the growing community."

Mr Muscat has put his faith in the suburb once again and purchased a site opposite the café, which he has transformed into an Italian restaurant along with his two business partners.

"Seeing what Deakin could be and how it could grow has been really positive for us," Mr Muscat said.

"And as long as new developments are done tastefully and respect the integrity of the area they will add to the community and bring more people to the local businesses."

The zoning also affects areas of inner-city suburbs including Red Hill, Forrest, Griffith and larger parts of Yarralumla and Curtin but it was Deakin put in the spotlight recently after the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled in favour of a unit development.

Deakin café owner Peter Zimmermann, who lost six car park spaces when shops were added to the Deakin Court precinct, said he was against more units in the area unless adequate parking was created to compensate for the increasing population.

"I don't really want more units around here, because we need more parking," he said.

"It's no use getting another 100 people coming to the shops each day if they can't park.

"We'll actually start losing business if people can't park their cars."

These concerns don't worry resident Nim Osborne, who has lived in the area for 30 years and said it is the older generation who "refuse to allow any change" in Deakin.

Ms Osborne said she had noticed a growing number of young families in the area who are calling for greater densification and development.

"More and more properties are being bought by younger families who are willing to embrace new developments and a growing population," she said.

"They want more development, they love it."

One such young person embracing the changing suburb is 30-year-old Mike Tweed, a Civic resident that works at a newly renovated Deakin gym.

Though the median house price for Deakin for May this year was approximately $950,000, Mr Tweed has found a unit he can share with one other person for $250 per week and said he is excited about the prospect of moving to the area.

"It's got everything you need close by and it's close enough to the city that you're not completely out of the way," he said.

"I don't see densification as a bad thing at all, because the more things you can do in Deakin the more convenient it is for people like me."

Turco and Associates architect Michael Turco, who was involved in the design of the recently approved Gawler Crescent townhouses in Deakin, said while RZ2 will permit new developments the buildings will not negatively impact the area's overall atmosphere.

"I think the zoning is sensitive enough so that it won't detract from the residential context," he said.

"More development will bring opportunities for people wanting to move into these inner city areas, which will just increase the sense of community."

Mr Turco said concerns about developments bringing increased traffic to the area were unfounded, as Gawler Crescent was currently running at only half its capacity and more residential housing would reduce car usage.

"Without a doubt more people coming into the area will mean more growth, but more density closer to the city means you're going to minimise the need for a car."

Despite Mr Turco's assessment, the prospect of more traffic and increased parking difficulties has some local residents and businesses unhappy.

Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said he supported the Planning and Land authorities approval, noting the high standard of design.

"This development is appropriate and contemporary response to the local area, which has been subject to urban renewal for the past several years. The tribunal's decision reinforces the planning and land authority's initial assessment," Mr Gentleman said.