Poorly designed redevelopment will turn Dickson into a ''bad case of acne'' according to Marie Coleman, a resident and organiser of one of a many new action groups.

Narrabundah and Griffith residents have formed the South Canberra Community Association to fight plans to turn a golf course and oval into high density residential development sites.

As well as these developments, tenants at Narrabundah Business Park, a 3.75ha site in Goyder Street, were told this week of redevelopment plans for 150 units. The zoning was changed in March.

Griffith Narrabundah Community Association spokesman Tony Powell said a public meeting next month would mobilise hundreds of people to show the depth of feeling against developing on public open space and poorly conceived redevelopment projects.

''Our target is the next territory election, because the Government will take no notice, it is not doing anything.''

He said a Griffith redevelopment plan to demolish five houses opposite the shops and build 31 units would rob neighbours to the south of their sunlight, outlook and privacy.

Mr Powell said ACT Planning and Land Authority did not have the staff to do inspections, or talk to the people and discuss residents' concerns.

Ms Coleman said the issue was not about density, but about poor quality design which could destroy a suburb.

''If we are allowing a wholesale destruction of 1950s buildings which are a little less mean than some of the stuff going up now, and replace them with buildings which in 10 or 15 years will have no capacity to manage an increasingly ageing population, that is a terrible mistake.''

Deakin resident Di Johnstone said neighbours would vigorously oppose a development in Gawler Crescent, between Fergusson Crescent and Hopetoun Circuit proposing 15 units on two consolidated blocks and parking for 30 cars.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times