Regarding the Guardians’ comment on section comprehensive review of the Plan, 4.1.1, two comments were provided which however were not part of the first major appear contradictory. stage of the review. Passage of The NCA responded to our comment on the Amendment 86 allows the NCA to better importance of vistas and open spaces, noting understand the likely timeframes that the Plan stipulates the conservation of associated with detailed policy review. major vistas and open spaces. The general policies for the Central National Area may be reviewed as future The Guardians are dismayed that this policy has stages of the Plan review (i.e. detailed not been followed regarding the vistas of West policy review). Implementation of from the most important route of recommendations from previous reports Commonwealth Avenue. We stress that it is and investigations may be part of the almost 10 years since Joint Standing Committee material relevant to the policy review and on the National Capital and External Territories inform changes to this policy. approved amendments to the NCP with policies Refer to section 3.2.7 of this report. to develop West Basin. This was flawed planning Please note that the Joint Standing that will adversely impact the parkland space set Committee on the National Capital and out in the Griffins' 1911 plan, WB Griffin's 1913 External Territories did not approve the and 1918 plans and established in the prize Legacy’ amendments to the ‘Griffin winning lake construction, by the National National Capital Plan. The responsible Capital Development Commission. Minister (then Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads) had Building height limits and mass the west this responsibility under the Australian side of Commonwealth Avenue will be so great Capital Territory (Planning and Land as to create a lop-sided southern exposure from Management) Act 1988. The Capital Hill and will destroy the vistas to the amendments went through the relevant Brindabellas from Commonwealth Avenue statutory process involving public Bridge. As well, building heights in West Basin, consultation, Ministerial approval and on Parkes Way and Commonwealth Avenue are Parliamentary scrutiny.
Regarding the Guardians’ comment on section 4.1.1, two comments were provided which appear contradictory. The NCA responded to our comment on the importance of vistas and open spaces, noting that the Plan stipulates the conservation of major vistas and open spaces. The Guardians are dismayed that this policy has not been followed regarding the vistas of West from the most important route of Commonwealth Avenue. We stress that it is almost 10 years since Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories approved amendments to the NCP with policies to develop West Basin. This was flawed planning that will adversely impact the parkland space set out in the Griffins' 1911 plan, WB Griffin's 1913 and 1918 plans and established in the prize winning lake construction, by the National Capital Development Commission. Building height limits and mass the west side of Commonwealth Avenue will be so great as to create a lop-sided southern exposure from Capital Hill and will destroy the vistas to the Brindabellas from Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. As well, building heights in West Basin, on Parkes Way and Commonwealth Avenue are comprehensive review of the Plan, however were not part of the first major stage of the review. Passage of Amendment 86 allows the NCA to better understand the likely timeframes associated with detailed policy review. The general policies for the Central National Area may be reviewed as future stages of the Plan review (i.e. detailed policy review). Implementation of recommendations from previous reports and investigations may be part of the material relevant to the policy review and inform changes to this policy. Refer to section 3.2.7 of this report. Please note that the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories did not approve the ‘Griffin Legacy’ amendments to the National Capital Plan. The responsible Minister (then Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads) had this responsibility under the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988. The amendments went through the relevant statutory process involving public consultation, Ministerial approval and Parliamentary scrutiny.
MS16-000682%20-%20Attachement%20H%20-%20Amendment%2086%20-%20Consultation%20Report%20%20%28April%202016%29_0.docx