Green light for public housing redevelopment

THE ACT Government has approved changes to allow the redevelopment of ageing public housing stock in Braddon and Reid.

The government plans to demolish the ageing Allawah, Bega and Currong public housing units in the Cooyong Street precinct, which are currently occupied by about 550 tenants, to make way for a mixed-use residential and commercial development which could hold more than 2000 residents.

Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development Simon Corbell says the new proposal contains a reduction in the originally proposed building height of 15 storeys to 12 storeys. About 10 per cent of the redeveloped precinct would be used for social housing.

“This proposal paves the way for an innovative development with sustainable social, economic and environmental outcomes for the community,” he says.

“The stepped nature of the redevelopment means that the bulk and scale of buildings should not have a negative impact on nearby residents.”

Mr Corbell says additional investigations will be undertaken in response to concerns raised during community consultation in relation to views, shadows and car parking.

“The variation will require offsite works including improvements to the footpaths along Cooyong Street and new linkages into Braddon to give better access to cyclists and pedestrians.  It increases the range of housing options for people wishing to live closer to where they work, where they shop and where there are cultural, recreational and commercial services,” he says.

Mr Corbell will table the Variation in the Legislative Assembly during the February sitting period.

If the Legislative Assembly does not disallow the approved plan variation within five sitting days after tabling, a date for commencement of the variation will be set shortly after.  Redevelopment can begin following the necessary development application processes.

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