11 April 2016
Invitation
You are encouraged to attend a meeting at the Wesley Uniting Church Hall, 20-22 National Circuit, Forrest at 7pm on Thursday 28 April 2016. It is being organised by the Inner South Canberra Community Council, together with its constituent associations, like the GNCA, and will consider the Manuka Green proposal generated by Grocon and the Great Western Sydney Giants.
Put this event in your diary and aim to be there. The Manuka Green proposal is a major pitch to intensify further the Kingston, Griffith and Barton suburbs and we need a good turnout to show that the community is concerned and also to obtain information as to how the proposal can be evaluated.
One of the speakers will be Gary Rake, from the ACT Government. He has been asked to outline the process for dealing with unsolicited bids and this one in particular; including identifying the key decision points and issues such as heritage, traffic/parking and open space.
What we know now
So far all we know is that the proposal includes:
- 4750 new seats and a roof covering 80 percent of all seating at the oval;
- A running track from Manuka Oval around or through Telopea Park to the Kingston Foreshore and a landscape upgrade around the oval;
- A 160 bed hotel/hospitality centre (based on the block where the old services club was) together with commercial space retail space and a licensed club;
- 1000 apartments in two areas (a) between the old services club and the arts centre along Manuka Circle and (b) between the Manuka Circle/Canberra Avenue intersection and the swimming pool; and
- Up to 450 additional parking spaces and
The proponents have stated that the Heritage areas associated with the Manuka Oval, the Caretaker’s cottage and the Manuka Swimming Pool and gardens will be preserved.
It is difficult to see how a development incorporating all these facilities can be successfully accommodated on the site to say nothing of the effect on the traffic and parking. Furthermore, we do not know what the financial arrangements will be or the time-frame involved if the proposal goes ahead.
If you are concerned and likely to be affected – come to the meeting!
David Denham
Secretary