THE Yarralumla Residents Association (YRA) is not surprised by the recent enthusiastic response of the ACT Property Council to the proposed massive development at the junction of Cotter Road, Yarra Glen and Adelaide Avenue, near the Canberra Brickworks. After all, some Council members may reap huge financial benefits from the development.

“If the Property Council is really passionate about the future of the Brickworks, what about showing the Canberra community a concrete expression of that passion, such as a philanthropic trust to help support the Brickworks conservation and adaptive reuse? The Brickworks manufactured the bricks and tiles that built many of Canberra’s older buildings such as the Old Parliament House, and are linked inextricably with the birth of Canberra’s building industry,” a spokesperson said.

It would be wonderful to see members of the Property Council, Master Builders Association and other building industry organisations show that they are willing to ‘put back’ to protect an important part of their industry’s heritage, and of Canberra’s heritage.

The Yarralumla Residents Association is seeking the views of Yarralumla residents on all aspects of the revised proposal for the Brickworks and environs, and will make a further media statement after those consultations.

UPDATE: The Property Council has returned fire:

The Property Council of Australia has responded to questions raised by the Yarralumla Residents Association in relation to the Canberra Brickworks.
Catherine Carter, the Property Council’s ACT Executive Director, says the local property industry is already a huge contributor to Canberra’s prosperity – both directly and indirectly.

“Property income is the Territory’s largest source of revenue, coming from land sales, general rates and a raft of other levies and taxes imposed by the ACT Government. In fact, 55 per cent of all ACT tax revenue comes from the property sector,” she says.

“It is up to the ACT Government to decide where that money is spent – and it has decided to spend $5 million to conserve the Brickworks site. We are very supportive of this decision.

“Canberra’s property industry not only pays its fair share, it is filled with people who are passionate about building a world-class capital city. Our industry consists of many multi-generational Canberra businesses with an enduring investment in making our city the best it can be. These people ‘put back’ every day, creating jobs, building homes and directly contributing to the prosperity of the Territory.

“The redevelopment of the Yarralumla Brickworks will be another landmark project that will benefit the people of Yarralumla and the people of Canberra – and we need to get behind the ACT Government’s visionary plan,” Ms Carter concludes.