MICK Gentlemen has launched The Belconnen Town Centre Master Plan which he says encourages the redevelopment of Lathlain Street and Emu Bank, better integration of the centre with the University of Canberra, and public space upgrades to attract more visitors to the centre.

“The Belconnen Town Centre Master Plan will guide the growth and development of the centre over the next 10 to 15 years, with a strong focus on creating a more attractive, interactive and desirable place to live, work and visit,” Mick said.

“The master plan has been developed as a result of an extensive and dynamic community engagement process that involved people of all ages and walks of life. Support from the Belconnen Community Council, Belconnen Arts Centre and Belconnen Community Service encouraged significant community involvement. The Council held its own community survey and shared its findings with government.

“These important contributions, combined with government’s own consultation process, resulted in a creative and collaborative process and a shared vision.

“The master plan reinforces the town centre’s role as a major centre for employment, commercial and community uses and identifies new opportunities for urban renewal, a core priority of the ACT Government that is vital to growing Canberra’s economy and strengthening our community.

“The centre has exciting potential to better integrate with the University of Canberra, which is undergoing significant growth and change of its own. New road, cycle and pedestrian connections are proposed, along with better signage, to encourage university staff and students to use the centre’s shops, services, entertainment and sport venues, lake and accommodation.

“The community’s strong desire for an attractive, relaxed outdoor dining precinct at Emu Bank that overlooks Lake Ginninderra, and links with the Arts Centre and Skate Park has been addressed in the plan.

“The master plan provides a clear direction for redevelopment of Lathlain Street, particularly the former remand centre and police station and emergency services buildings. This precinct will become a lively destination with a new urban park, outdoor dining and new business, community and residential development.

“The centre will become a much easier and safer place to move about if recommended improvements to cycle and pedestrian connections are made into and across the town centre.

“The community values the Belconnen Town Centre and is happy with how it is continuing to improve. The master plan provides clear building height limits and incentives for high quality design that will ensure certainty and better outcomes for the community, government and developers,” Minister Gentleman concluded.

The master plan will inform changes to the Territory Plan, and in particular the Belconnen Precinct Code and some land use zones. These changes will be available for community feedback.

Further Information on the Belconnen Town Centre Master Plan is available at planning.act.gov.au