JWLand amends DA for Currong flats site on edge of Braddon, Civic

The developers of the former Currong and Allawah flats site in Braddon have submitted revised, scaled-back plans for the land after their first development application was withdrawn.

Under the fresh application, JWLand proposed 329 apartments, 2625 square metres of commercial space and 757 square metres for community functions, including the construction of an 80-place childcare centre.

The heights of the proposed buildings – which would reach 12 storeys on the corner of Cooyong Street and Ainslie Avenue, eight storeys fronting the rest of Cooyong, and five storeys backing onto Currong Street – were similar to those submitted in the first development application in January.

But the number of apartments, car parking spaces, and the footprint of the commercial and community space were scaled back from what was proposed in the original plan.

In submissions to the original proposal, resident groups, individuals and the National Trust criticised the perceived lack of consultation, lack of heritage preservation or green energy information, and apparent lack of a trunk cycle path.

Greens parliamentarian Caroline Le Couteur earlier described the design as “completely unacceptable” and unable to cater for liveability, pedestrians or cyclists.

As a result, the new application said JWLand opted to amend plans “to engage in further community consultation regarding the proposed design in order to ensure that the development proposal delivers the best possible outcome for the future residents and users of the site”.

Two information sessions were held at Gorman House on April 12 in which 37 people attended, while flyers were delivered to a wider area.

Front Architects added a 2.3 metre path along Currong Street, as well as a “central landscaped plaza” that would connect the road with Cooyong Street for pedestrians and cyclists.

The designers would attempt to mimic elements of the surrounding suburban through colours and materials.

“The concept for S52 South draws inspiration from the large American Elm at the Currong Street end which provides a unique opportunity to align contemporary building and urban design concepts with a well established, significant component of the living landscape,” the application said.

“The proposal will bring a fresh new urban presence to Cooyong Street with a design transitioning to the surrounding residential area of Braddon.”

Construction was expected to cost $74.7 million.

The proposal covered about half the former Allawah and Currong flats site.

The second stage of the redevelopment would be submitted in a future development application and would probably be separated from the first with a Batman Street extension to Cooyong Street.

JWLand, which is also behind the Campbell 5 development, paid $47 million for the block in early 2016.

The development application will soon be available for public comment on the ACT government’s planning website.