I am a resident of Argyle Square, which is central Canberra's sole remaining medium-density group of apartments and townhouses. These buildings have architectural heritage aspects in that they celebrate the famous old ''Paddington'' style. The maximum height is modest, complying with a general attempt to keep to the Burley Griffin ''garden city'' concept.
It appals me that now the authorities propose demolition of the ABC public housing only to erect 15-storey apartment blocks within metres of low-profile, inner-city housing. Fifteen storeys is far too high and the resulting shading and lack of privacy would be severe.
Central Canberra has quite enough of these architectural monstrosities already. The original redevelopment plan involved a much lower and far more civilised building profile. Now we have Variation 308, a ''precinct code'' which allows the government to circumvent its own high density ''residential multi-unit housing development code'' which would have provided many of the protections now being sought by nearby residents.
This seems to be sharp practice, at least, on the part of ACT Planning.
Finally, I see within the multitude of new apartments are plans for three-bedders of nine squares (about 80sqm). Nine squares, think about it! If anything is a recipe for an instant slum, it is this proposal in its entirety.
Roger Marchant, Reid
What justification has the ACT government to demolish the Bega flats when it recently completed major refurbishments, landscaping and fitting air conditioners?
The proposed 15-storey development replacing the flats will destroy the amenity of the adjacent Argyle Square, a development that ACTPLA under the Green Street program declared as ''efficient sustainable urban development providing better housing choices''.
The very narrow Kogarah Lane cannot take the amount of generated traffic proposed. The proposed redevelopment will also overlook and severely impact other streets in Reid, such as Allambee, Boolee, Currong and Coranderrk. Reid is a heritage suburb and if its amenity is not preserved it will become a neglected, run-down place. The Bega flats form an integral part of the Reid precinct and have been considered for inclusion in the heritage listings. They should not be taken out of context and lumped together with the Braddon precinct to justify changing planning rules.
Has the ACT Heritage Council considered the impact of a high-rise in close proximity to and overlooking detached significant heritage houses?
A blanket approach to redevelopment along major traffic routes should be carefully scrutinised to prevent future slums.
Lydia Frommer, Lyons
DEVELOPING DICKSON
I write to correct the misconceptions in letters from John Holland and R.S. Gilbert, (February 7), about the proposed new supermarkets for Dickson.
The late John Martin, the former Australian Consumer & Competition Commission commissioner who conducted the review upon which the government's supermarket competition policy is based, concluded that Dickson should have an additional full-line supermarket and an ALDI store.
Contrary to Holland's view, there is significant industry interest in operating the full-line supermarket site and ALDI is already committed.
Holland is also incorrect in his assumption that both sites are being developed. The site being developed is the one adjacent to Woolworths, and this was also the overwhelming choice of the more than 2000 inner north residents who responded to a survey.
R.S. Gilbert's assertion that ALDI operates in the same niche market as Coles, Woolworths, Supabarn or IGA is also incorrect.
Martin identified that ALDI filled a unique niche in the Australian market, playing a complementary role. This view is shared by other industry experts including other full-line supermarket operators.
Gilbert's fear that the land will not be sold on the open market is also unfounded. The sale price for the land will be determined through a competitive tendering process. I can also assure the community that the successful developer will be required to replace existing parking and fulfil mandated parking provisions.
Andrew Barr, Deputy Chief Minister
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