A groundwell of resentment about urban in-fill and planning had been under-estimated by ACT politicians and it would become a major issue at the next election, according to the chair of a group of 19 resident-action groups.
The groups were concerned about dual-occupancy, townhouse development and housing at the Tuggeranong homestead site. They have formed a group called the Save Our City Coalition under the chair of the Canberra Conservation Council.
The president of the council, Jacqui Rees, said ACT politicians had not tapped the level of distress by people affected by changes to the Territory Plan allowing for second houses to be built in gardens of existing houses and then for the title to be split and sold off.
Most ACT politicians “”think it is a few loudmouths, but it is not”, she said. “”They do not recognise the depth of distress. They have not tapped it. That’s why they are coming to us. It’s going to be a major election issue.”
The Minister for Planning, Bill Wood, agrees that planning is going to be a major election issue.
“”It is always an issue in Canberra,” he said. “”That’s why we have the best planned city in Australia. What other topic gets greater attention?”
However, he thought that the Territory Plan was working well, judging by the very limited number of appeals coming through.
The ACT Planning Authority was engaged in constant consultation. The most recent example was Gungahlin. The ACTPA had started talking with the community before anything had been committed to paper.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kate Carnell, also said it would be an election issue.
Many people were coming to the Liberal Party with complaints about dual occupancy, tree removal and loss of amenity.
“”The whole dual occupancy has to be revisited. we are getting complaints from all over Canberra. We thought the Territory Plan was to provide granny flats, not two-storey 13-square second houses with split title.
“”We need to dramatically tighten up the dual occupancy guidelines. Dual occupancy is fine. It enables people to stay in the same area, but it has to be in scale and be complimentary.
“”Planning and consulting is an on-going process. Just because it is now the Territory Plan does not mean we got it right first time. You cannot anticipate everything.”
Ms Rees said the lack of appeals meant nothing. It was early days and many people did not want the stress and expense of an appeal or were not familiar with the rules.