The ACT government could make a land swap deal with the owners of its planned Dickson transport interchange site, subject to a compulsory acquisition process under way since last month.
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About 3000 square metres of land currently used for car parking will be acquired. The government plans to develop the site into a bus interchange to link Cape Street and Northbourne Avenue, close to the planned city to Gungahlin light rail line.
After previously refusing to discuss the cost of the compulsory acquisition from a Taiwanese family company, a spokeswoman for Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said this week the compulsory land acquisition process had been commenced by the Environment and Planning directorate on behalf of the project proponent, Roads ACT.
A notifiable instrument issued on October 14 commenced the process, which must be completed within 42 days.
"Negotiations are continuing, with both parties actively engaged in looking for a solution which might include a land swap or an agreed sum," the spokeswoman said this week.
"It is vital for an efficient and effective public transport system to include interchanges and facilities for passengers to transfer between modes.
"No other requests for land acquisition associated with the Capital Metro project have been received by the planning and land authority at this time."
No compensation amount has been made finalised.
Land records show the former owner was Chung Yi Developments, a company whose registered address is at a Sydney consulting firm. Australian Securities and Investment Commission records show the company's two shareholders and a third director are members of the same Taiwan based family.
The new interchange was first forecast in the Capital Metro business case, released in October 2014. The interchange could accommodate about nine east-west bus routes, a new taxi rank and "kiss and ride bays" for drop offs in Challis Street. As part of the plan bus routes could extend to service the Dickson shops and one set of pedestrian crossing lights on Northbourne could be relocated.
On Monday, Mr Gentleman said the government would build a new bus station and layover facility near the Gungahlin light rail terminus. Community consultation is under way for the development in Gungahlin Place, between Ernest Cavanagh Street and Hibberson Street.
Construction on the line will begin next year and is due for completion by 2019 or 2020.
The territory has used compulsory acquisition to secure ownership of fewer than 10 parcels of land since self-government, with most of the sites acquired being used for new road realignment projects, the spokeswoman said.
The government continues to stress the voluntary nature of its Mr Fluffy asbestos buyback program, but has previously warned owners who choose not to take part could face compulsory acquisition.
The government's Capital Metro Agency will host a two-day conference on planning, community development and city transport options at the National Museum of Australia, beginning on Wednesday.
Industry and academic experts will speak to planning, architecture and civil engineering students on topics including integrated land use, urban transformation and sustainable transport growth.
"Canberra has grown is rapidly heading towards a population of more than 600,000, and we need to adapt and change in order to ensure that it's still a workable and liveable city for current and future generations," Capital Metro Minister Simon Corbell said.
