Property development or community development?
ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey has today called for a more considered approach to development after revelations that the 'only way is up' for housing near Woden Town Centre.
"It is facile to talk about more intense urban development to make it possible for residents to walk to work and recreation if the community and recreation facilities are being taken away or were never there in the first place" Dr Foskey said today.
"Recent planning decisions have seen Woden's swimming pool overshadowed, future community uses around Phillip Oval abandoned, and community assets including trees sacrificed for commercial development."
"Now the Burnie Court site across the road is going to be rezoned to allow for a block of flats 10 floors tall."
"There was a big to-do about the decision to demolish Burnie Court, which was all government housing, and replace it with a mix of public and private housing."
"The proportion of private housing now seems to be increasing, and more and more units are being squeezed onto the block to increase the return."
"I have no doubt that's a good approach for property development. Itâ??s not so good for community development however" Dr Foskey said.
