A CITY to Russell extension option will be included in the Request for Proposal for the first stage of Canberra's light rail network in response to strong support from the community and local business, Minister for Capital Metro, Simon Corbell, announced last week.
TWO wind farm projects in Victoria and another in South Australia have been revealed as the winners of the ACT Government's 200 megawatt wind power auction, as part of plans for renewable energy sources to generate 90 per cent of the Territory's energy usage by 2020.
THE ACT Government last week released draft master plans for Woden Town Centre and Mawson Group Centre, which outline a vision, planning principles and strategies to guide the growth and development of the two centres.
A NEW portfolio of Minister for Urban Renewal will bring together infrastructure renewal and the promotion of social and cultural activity at a suburban level, according to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who this week announced a reshuffled ministry.
THE ACT Government this week launched the next round of consultation for the proposed Capital Metro light rail project in Canberra, with public input invited on design guidelines relating to landscaping, walking and cycling, light rail stop design and the overall vision for the corridor.
THE ACT Government this week announced that four consortia have submitted expressions of interest to build the first stage of Canberra's proposed Capital Metro light rail system between the city and Gungahlin.
"Four private sector consortia, consisting of local, national and international companies, have submitted an expression of interest for the first stage of Canberra's light rail network," Minister for Capital Metro Simon Corbell said in a statement.
THE ACT Government last week released the Capital Metro light rail consultation report, which Capital Metro Minister Simon Corbell said demonstrates the thoroughness and importance of community involvement in early design work.
According to the government, passenger experience, integration with other transport modes and landscaping along Northbourne Avenue were some of the main topics raised by stakeholders and the community during consultation for stage one of Canberra's light rail network.
THE ACT Government has launched a consultation process to support the preparation of a new master plan for the Belconnen town centre, which will guide future building controls and improve links between the town centre and nearby employment hubs, Planning Minister Mick Gentleman announced last week.
The first stage of consultation will address a number of issues faced by the town centre, including building heights, pedestrian and cycle connections, the quality of the public domain, car parking and the use of the former Joynton Smith bus way.
THE Environment Protection Authority is preparing new guidelines to help developers and planners prevent industrial air emissions from adversely affecting sensitive land uses such as residences, ACT Environment Minister Simon Corbell announced last week.
"The Draft Separation Distance Guidelines for Air Emissions are available for community and industry stakeholder comment until December 16," Mr Corbell said.
PLANS for a light rail system between Gungahlin and Civic have moved a step closer after the ACT Government last week called for expressions of interest from the private sector to build and operate the system.
In addition to inviting expressions of interest for the Capital Metro contract, Chief Minister Katy Gallagher and Minister for Capital Metro Simon Corbell also released the final business case for stage one of the light rail network between Gungahlin and Civic.
THE ACT Legislative Assembly last week passed the Planning, Building and Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (No 2), which aims to increase certainty around the decision making process for exempt developments through a number of key planning changes.
"The Planning, Building and Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (No. 2) is an omnibus piece of legislation which provides an efficient avenue for consideration of minor matters in a consolidated single Bill," Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said in a statement.
AFTER receiving six expressions of interest, the ACT Government this week announced that two groups have reached the next stage of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) procurement process for the ACT Law Courts project.
The ACT Law Courts project includes the redevelopment of the Supreme Court and the creation of an integrated courts facility with links to the Magistrates Court and provision of a secure custodial management facility to service both courts.
BUNDA Street is set to be transformed into a shared space for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users as part of ACT Government plans to revitalise the city centre, Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury announced last week.
As part of the project, creative pavement treatments will be used to help make Bunda Street feel less like a conventional road, more pedestrian friendly and safer for all road users, with the speed limit to be reduced to 20 kilometres per hour.
