MICK Gentleman says new development opportunities are available under a Territory Plan variation that allows for the construction of communication facilities on land zoned as Public Open Space, a supermarket in the Canberra Outlet Centre at Fyshwick, and convenience food outlets at the Beard Industrial Estate.

“The variation was prepared in response to feedback from development assessors, the community and industry representatives during the ongoing monitoring of the Territory Plan,” Mick said.

“Before approving Variation 353, I took into account the seven submissions received, which have been addressed in the variation and report on consultation.

“The main comments received were about allowing communication facilities in zones marked as Urban Open Space, and a supermarket at the Canberra Outlet Centre in Fyshwick.

“Allowing installation of communication facilities in the Urban Open Space Zone will allow for the upgrade of existing facilities already located in this zone and will provide further opportunities for new infrastructure when needed. Specific controls have been provided to ensure the infrastructure does not adversely affect the operation of the open space and existing provisions provide controls to manage the impact of communications facilities and associated infrastructure. In addition to ACT requirements, a range of Commonwealth requirements and industry standards will also need to be met.

“Allowing one supermarket at the Canberra Outlet Centre will serve the day-to-day needs of local workers in the Fyshwick area and broaden the range of facilities available at the centre.

“Comments were made that a supermarket at the Canberra Outlet Centre might impact on surrounding town centres, local centres and the Fyshwick industrial area. The variation allows for one supermarket of no more than 1000m2. The limited size of the supermarket and its location is expected to enable it to effectively serve Fyshwick workers without significantly impacting on other local and town centres of the remainder of the Fyshwick industrial area.

“Allowing development of eating establishments in Beard, near Queanbeyan, will also serve the local workforce who will no longer have to leave the area to buy food. Limiting the floor area to 200m2 for eating establishments in Beard is consistent with what is permitted in other mixed-use industrial areas in Canberra.

“The variation also clarifies some of the Territory Plan provisions and terms surrounding lease variations, adjusts the definition of major service conduits and amends provisions in the Estate Development Code for access to narrow blocks.

“The approved Territory Plan variation provides development opportunities that will meet the present and future needs of the community, industry and government,” Minister Gentleman concluded.

The report on consultation and the Territory Plan variation can be viewed at planning.act.gov.au