A new supermarket, apartments up to five storeys, better access roads and even the relocation of its sheep sculptures are all possibilities canvassed in a draft master plan for the Kambah Group Centre issued yesterday.
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The document is a blueprint for possible development of the precinct over the next 20 to 30 years.
It focuses on the Kambah Village Shopping Centre, which serves the more than 15,000 people living in Kambah, Canberra's most populous suburb.
Among the many possible scenarios is the ACT Government selling land now used as car parks for a retail development such as a full-line supermarket, but also stipulating that a basement car park must be included.
It also suggests encouraging housing in the area with unit developments up to five storeys, including on the site of the local service station.
Other measures include better bicycle and pedestrian access, extending Kett Street south to Drakeford Drive, improved lighting, possible redevelopment of the local tavern and enticing other smaller retail outlets to open.
It also suggests removing or replacing the eucalypts to ''improve the overall cleanliness and reduce ongoing maintenance requirements''.
Shopkeepers including butcher Cameron Fenson welcomed any moves to revitalise the centre.
''I think it's good. I think it will move Kambah out of the 1970s and into the future,'' he said.
Newsagent Vir Krishna said his only concern was if any future construction affected existing businesses.
''Definitely it needs to be upgraded. People are saying this is the worst shopping centre in this area.''
A spokesman for Woolworths, which already operates at the centre, said it would like to have a larger store to offer a bigger range to customers.
But Tuggeranong Community Council president Darryl Johnston was concerned that the ACT Government had allowed only two weeks for public comment on the draft plan.
The council would consider seeking more time to respond, including asking a representative from the ACT Planning and Land Authority to attend one of its meetings.
Planners interviewed 17 ''key stakeholders'' in March about the future of the centre. A display seeking comments from people was also erected at the shops for two days, in April and May.
The draft plan says that feedback will help planners to work to retain what residents love about their centre - its village feel, range of services, convenience and public art.
Those famous sheep sculptures could also be moved to a ''key entry'' of the centre - they wouldn't be relocated entirely from the area.
''The Kambah sheep are valued by the community,'' the plan says.
Jane Fraser, who has lived in Kambah since 1992, said she hoped the shops did not change too much.
''I like the whole village feel and I love the sheep,'' she said.
Carole Hayes, a Kambah resident for 32 years, said the shops ''definitely need a facelift''.
''I shop here because it's close to home but it wouldn't hurt to have a little bit of competition for Woolworths,'' she said.
The draft plan is at www.actpla.act.gov.au/kambah. Public comment is open until September 16. Comments can be made by email at kambah@act.gov.au or by post to Kambah Group Centre Master Plan, PO Box 1908, Canberra ACT 2601.
The Government is expected to issue the final plan later this year.