Deakin and Forrest residents condemn new development proposal

Residents in parts of Deakin and Forrest are banding together against a proposal that would stop more than one dwelling being built per block in the area.

The National Capital Authority has put forward a draft amendment to its National Capital Plan stipulating that blocks in the Deakin/Forrest Residential Precinct are only allowed one dwelling.

The Deakin/Forrest Residential Precinct comprises of around 70 blocks of land and is bounded by State Circle, Canberra Avenue, National Circuit and Adelaide Avenue.

Bob Nattey has lived in Canterbury Crescent in Deakin for the past 45 years and is worried the amendment will limit his future options.

“After living here for so long we’re contemplating the options of where we go next, baring in mind that we are sitting on almost half an acre of land with a lot of lawn, trees and gardens,” he said.

“While the spirit is still willing the flesh is a bit weak.

“The options we have been looking at include either selling our block to a developer or develop it ourselves and live in one of the dual occupancies.”

Nattey said the proposed changes would impact some residents greatly.

“People have also been spending many years on designs for dual occupancies and other developments, only to have this come out … and suddenly they have the rug pulled from under them,” he said.

“In an information evening with the NCA and residents held last Tuesday, we tried to ask why this change of heart and the only reasons we were given were that the NCA board had decided it.”

The Deakin/ Forrest residential precinct. The study area is more closely defined as the residential areas bounded by Canterbury Crescent, National Circuit, Hobart Avenue and blocks fronting State Circle. Photo: Supplied

The Deakin/ Forrest Residential Precinct is an example of the “Garden City” planning concept designed by Walter Burley Griffin, and a spokesperson from the NCA told Allhomes this was one of the main reasons for the proposed amendment.

“The NCA believes the proposed draft amendment will ensure the precinct continues to display the ‘Garden City’ and ‘City Beautiful’ principles on which the precinct was originally based,” they said.

“The proposed policy will uphold the characteristics of the neighbourhood; one of which is valued by a significant proportion of the community; and which holds national significance, and one that Canberrans can be proud of.”

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The NCA spokesperson said one of the main reasons the amendment has been put forward was due to objections from the community about apartments being developed on State Circle.

“Following a review in 2016/17, an issued paper explored a series of matters specific to the precinct, as well as considerations relevant to the city more broadly,” the spokesperson said.

“Submissions from the community highlighted concern that the ‘Garden City’ characteristics of the precinct were being diminished by multi unit development with insufficient landscape.”

While Nattey was against the building of apartments in the precinct at State Circle, one of his primary objections is that it’s unfair to put completely different standards on those living in close proximity.

“The people most affected by the amendment are those living in Somers Crescent and Canterbury Crescent, which are shadowed by apartments on State Circle,” he said.

“We’ve suggested to them that if they want to retain a single dwelling area there should also be a transition area between the apartments on State Circle, but that suggestion was rejected.

“The plans for what we are proposing is there should be tasteful development, whilst maintaining the landscaping of the area.”

A public consultation process is currently taking place, with submissions closing on Monday, April 16.

“We are facing increased rates, increased water for the garden and other increased maintenance costs or the option to do something else, and we think the option should be our choice and not someone else’s who has arbitually decided it should change,” added Nattey.