The ACT government has backed down on a plan to build a temporary car park in parkland near Cooleman Court in Weston Creek, which had attracted intense community pressure and opposition from within the government.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Transport and City Services Minister Chris Steel on Thursday confirmed the plans for the car park had been abandoned and the funding for the project would instead be spent on upgrades to Brierly Street.
"Whilst the DA was approved for the revised plans, it has been clear through the subsequent appeals to ACAT and other representations that the temporary car park does not have support. That is why the ACT government has decided not to proceed with construction of the temporary car park," Mr Steel said in a statement.
A development application for the site, at the corner of Brierly and Parkinson streets, was approved in November.
Plans for the car park were scaled back following community pressure to provide space for 63 cars instead of 108.
Residents of Watling Place, a group of townhouses which backs onto the area where the car park was to be built, opposed the project, citing the negative impact on "opportunities for social interactions".
Resident John Davies said he was thrilled the car park had been abandoned.
"Our next move is of course we want it rezoned from community facility to park land ... then we have lots of ideas," Mr Davies said.
The development approval required the ACT government to demolish the car park and restore the site within three years after it was completed.
"The condition will continue to apply unless this decision is superseded by another approval permitting permanent use of the site," the decision said.
Mr Steel said that at the time the ACT government expected the site would be released for community facilities use after the car park was no longer needed.
On Thursday, Mr Steel said the problem of a lack of parking at Cooleman Court would remain.
"However the ACT government will still construct access improvements to the existing car park at Dillon Close as well as a pedestrian crossing on Parkinson Street and a speed hump on Liardet Street supporting the recommendations of the [2014] master plan," he said.
The site was rezoned from urban open space to community facility zone in 2014 after a master plan for the area was developed.
Car parks are prohibited on community facility blocks unless they are deemed to be temporary.
Freedom of information documents released last year showed officials within the Transport Canberra and City Services directorate suggested applying to have the land use changed after the temporary car park was completed to allow it to stay permanently.
Greens minister Emma Davidson, who is a member for Murrumbidgee, had described the proposal as a poor planning solution to a short-term commercial problem.
"[It] could be resolved in alternate ways which would have a far lower impact on the community and the local environment," Ms Davidson said in December.
For faster access to the latest Canberra news, download The Canberra Times app for iOS and Android.
Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
