The ACT government has started a second round of consultation on its proposed new suburb west of the Tuggeranong town centre after an overwhelmingly negative response to the first round.
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The government has proposed as many as 3500 new dwellings on 80 hectares between the Tuggeranong town centre and the Murrumbidgee River.
More than 300 people responded to the call for feedback on the new suburb, most of them opposed to it.
The government's own Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment was concerned that the public had been asked to comment without environmental studies being done, raising expectations "the development will proceed regardless of the outcomes".
The commissioner also warned that there must be a careful balance between conservation and development, and said while it "may be possible to achieve the balance" that would only be "through rigorous initial assessments" and a strategy that maintained the ecological values.
The government's feedback report said the strongest reaction was about the impact on the river corridor and the recreation space. More than 60 per cent of comments expressed concern about environmental impacts, especially the river, habitats and threatened species. Some suggested the area was a flood plain.
One submission from a former public servant and keen bushwalker said urban development should be avoided in the river corridor. It would greatly increase run off, erosion, pollutants, sediment, algal blooms and environmental weeds, the submission said. It would also reduce bird, animal and plant habitats and place further pressure on the natural environment.
Another said the area was home to wombats and echidnas, with scores of kangaroos visiting every day.
It was also the site of the Tuggeranong archery club, and a new suburb would see the end of "one of the most complete archery facilities in Australia".
The Tuggeranong Archery Club launched an online petition, which so far has more than 700 signatures. A Facebook page had also been launched called Save the Murrumbidgee River Corridor, which more than 600 "likes".
Local residents raised concerns about the impact on their views, including a resident of the Emphora building in Cowlishaw Street, Greenway, who said property values would be damaged.
Just 12 per cent of people making comments were in favour of the development – for the economic benefits for Tuggeranong and the new housing. The Master Builders Association said there was urgent need for more land for housing.
One submitter said the area desperately needed cleaning up, and was now tainted by litter and hoons doing burn-outs.
Planning Minister Mick Gentleman, himself a Tuggeranong resident, said he had heard support from residents and businesses for renewing and reinvigorating Tuggeranong and attracting more residents.
"But I have also heard, very clearly, that we need to protect the river corridor ... This area is also home to important sporting and community groups and I want to see those groups stay in the area and continue to prosper," he said.
"My primary aim is to test whether this proposal is, on balance, a good thing for Tuggeranong. I want to hear as many voices as possible."
The report said a preliminary study had confirmed "no major obstacles to future urban development", which would "breathe new life into the town centre". But it would not go ahead without "extensive environmental and social impact studies".
The government is now establishing a community panel, inviting the wider community to be park of workshops, and running online polls.
