Misuse of residential areas for business on the fringes of the present Kingston and Manuka business areas should no longer be tolerated, the Assembly’s planning committee warned yesterday.
The Planning Development and Infrastructure Committee said recommended that the Government police land use in Kingston and Manuka and not permit office and business uses outside existing business leases unless people went through proper planning processes.
The clamp-down was one of 11 recommendations of the committee in presenting its proposed Territory Plan.
Government and Assembly sources say the proposal will go through the Government and Assembly unchanged, so businesses in residential areas in Kingston and Manuka can expect to feel the pinch very soon.
Some houses along Canberra Avenue which are being used as offices because of their proximity to Parliament House are likely to be affected. They will have to formally seek changes to lease purpose clauses. However, there is no guarantee that these will be successful.
The committee says it is keen to start an enforcement process around all group centres.
“”This reflects the committee’s determination not to authorise variations to permit commercial activity beyond the present boundaries,” the committee said. “”The committee is particularly anxious to place on the public record its determination in the future to reject any planning variations intended to increase the boundaries of the commercial areas, especially with respect to Kingston and Manuka.”
A clamp-down on the fringe of Fyshwick can also be expected. Businesses along the Molonglo River side of Gladstone and Tennant (2 n’s) Street can expect to come under scrutiny. The committee has stated its determination to protect the river corridor.
It will also retain the Goldenholm Dairy at Fyshwick as a functioning (and only) dairy in Canberra. It recommends protection of its agricultural landscape.
On North Watson, the committee said it would look at the matter after the ACT Planning Authority and it had by no means determined a view on the draft plan variation for the area.
On Gungahlin, the committee included the possibility of an urban village. however, and detailed proposal would have to be the subject of a future variation of the plan.
Mr Kaine said yesterday, “”The plan is a new base, a new starting point. Obviously, there will be variations in the future.”
The committee also stressed the need to extend the peripheral road system to relieve strain on internal roads though town centres and residential areas.