CREATING A DYNAMIC CITY CENTRE 

Creating a dynamic City Centre is underway with the announcement of $7.2 million funding for projects in the 2005-06 Budget allocation.

Planning Minister Simon Corbell said major infrastructure work on Childers Street, new street signage and a feasibility study of street and pedestrian connections to City Hill, West Basin and between the two precincts will help realise priorities outlined in the City West Master Plan and Canberra Central Program.

“The $6 million redesign of Childers Street as an important public space, including a new city park, demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the Canberra Central Project, where this location will become the major arts and cultural precinct of our city,” he said.

“Reinstatement of the Childers/Rudd Street intersection across Marcus Clarke Street, and an upgrade of Childers Street from Marcus Clarke Street to the ANU boundary will improve links between the City and the university.

“Best practise water sensitive urban design stormwater systems will be installed to service streets, buildings, the new park as well as future commercial and residential developments helping to attract smart industries and businesses to Canberra.

“These improvements to Childers Street will create a vibrant precinct in City West and will become a benchmark of sustainable urban design in the inner-city.

“Funding of $700,000 will allow for the replacement and improvement of signage throughout the City Centre, with signature beacons, information pillars, arcade directions, street and place name badges intended to be constructed throughout the City.

“Appropriately sited and attractive street signage will improve communication for tourists, public transport users and the local community and assist with access to these areas.

“Improved signage will also assist the visually impaired and disabled to navigate around City Central.

“A detailed survey, investigation and analysis of Constitution and Edinburgh Avenues and Lake Burley Griffin connections to Vernon Circle at City Hill will be undertaken with $500,000, to inform and support major project development.
“The feasibility study will investigate street and pedestrian connections to City Hill, to the Lake and between these precincts, and investigate how to establish key sites for public buildings and private development.”

The scope of the study will include:
•	Design of intersections and vertical alignment of Vernon Circle;
•	Extension of Constitution and Edinburgh Avenues through to Vernon Circle;
•	Realignment of the carriageways in Northbourne Avenue;
•	Raising of London Circuit to meet Commonwealth Avenue;
•	Removal of intersection loops from London Circuit and Parkes Way;
•	Investigation of parking facility for City Hill; and,
•	Assessment of impact on underground services.

“This broad study will form the basis for subsequent detailed design and constructions works,” Mr Corbell said.

“These initiatives are identified in the Canberra Spatial Plan, Economic White Paper and the National Capital Authority’s Griffin Legacy Project, and the Government is committed to realising these objectives.”
Statement ends