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Bob Sutherland welcomed the committee and members of the public as well as Minister Gary Humphries and Defence Housing Authority representative Tony Beauchamp. There was the need to revisit the DHA proposal for Stirling, the ex-Holder High School and the Electoral Boundaries. Other issues held over from the last meeting and new issues raised in the last month, which would be addressed, are:

• Use of closed service station sites
• Liardet Street, Weston traffic problems
• Blackwood Terrace, Holder pedestrian crossing.
• Annual General meeting - mailout
• June meeting publicity flyer
• GST
• Any other business

Superintendent Chris Lines, AFP

The minutes of the February 2000 meeting were distributed. These were accepted by Jeff Carl and seconded by Bob Sutherland. Mrs Chris Hunter requested the following additions.

• Overflow parking from visitors to the Stirling estate would add to the congestion in Streeton Drive
• Suggested that a roundabout be located at the end of Darwinia Terrace into the new estate.
• Possible subsidence at the site was also mentioned at the last meeting and is mentioned in the letter to Minister Humphries.
• Removalist trucks would not be able to negotiate the internal road system.

Tony Beauchamp indicated that DHA would meet all of the ACT Government planning and siting regulations in the development of the estate.

Bob Sutherland advised the meeting that in accordance with the agreement of the February meeting the executive of the WCCC had prepared a submission and this had been lodged. The submissions received by the Electoral Commission numbered 10 and these were available on the Electoral Commission website. (http://www.elections.act.gov.au/redis99.html)

The Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party submissions were similar to the WCCC in the suggestion of retaining Molonglo at 7 members and moving some of the northern suburbs from Molonglo into Ginninderra.

Some of the submissions discussed single member electorates and all electorates being 7 members. The ACT Greens supported the option 4 to move Weston Creek into Ginninderra. The Electoral Commission has invited comments on the 10 submissions - these are due by 30 March. The meeting agreed that the executive of the WCCC decide whether there was a need to comment on other submissions or await the Electoral Commission handing down its decision.

A number of questions were asked from the floor to Tony Beauchamp (DHA) requesting clarification of the progress of the plans for the estate.

A number addressed the issue of the parcel of land not being sufficiently exposed to public consultation in 1993/1994 when the use was changed from open space to residential in the draft Territory Plan. Tony indicated that DHA had acquired land designated residential. The discussion centred on the realisation by some residents that their lack of comment on the draft territory plan in 1993/4 was having repercussions now. Mr Humphries noted the residents' concerns on the changes to the Territory Plan, and advised that the ACT Government would discuss the Streeton Estate development proposals with local residents directly impacted by the development. Mr Humphries also indicated that DHA had obtained the lease in good faith based on its current lease purpose. It was unreasonable to expect DHA to modify their plans if these plans complied with the current lease purpose, and it was also unreasonable to reopen the lease purpose debate at this stage. Tony indicated that in the land release program 1999-2001 the land was considered able to accommodate 50-70 dwellings and DHA were considering approximately 50. Some discussion resulted from this statement as a local resident claimed to have been given different (lower) accommodation figures by at least two officers at PALM.

The suitability of the land for residential use was also raised given the amount of excavation and compaction required. Tony indicated that the ACT Government was required to undertaken the remedial work and this was not a responsibility of DHA. Questions were asked specifically if homeowners close to the site would be compensated for dust and noise (DHA -no); would home owners be subsidised for loss of amenity (DHA -no) and would DHA buy homes of affected residents (DHA - individual cases would be considered on a commercial basis).

The issue of a ‘defence enclave’ was of concern. The high number of defence personnel in a concentrated area appeared to be at odds with recent moves in other parts of Australia to reduce the concentration of military families. Tony advised that DHA did have a preference of limiting military personnel in an area to 30%. However because DHA needed 700 houses in the ACT it was a necessary step to meet the demand. Examples of the builders who may be considered for the construction are Madison Homes and Prestige Homes.

The meeting was advised that the WCCC had not received a reply to the letter of 6 March 2000 to Minister Humphries however this was expected by the April meeting.

Questions were asked of Tony Beauchamp of DHA’s interest in the ex-Holder High School. Tony indicated that DHA were in very preliminary discussions with PALM regarding the availability of the land and its lease purpose. There were no firm plans or decisions, nor was there sufficient information available as yet to comment on.

Mr Humphries indicated that he believed that the status of the Grant Cameron Centre was OK, although the status of the land use around the site could be subject to change.

Questions were raised regarding the continued availability of maintained open space (Holder oval) in the suburb. The importance of recreation space in Holder, given that two schools had closed, was of concern and Holder oval was an asset of the whole community. There may even be a possibility that the Defence Force College may need sports facilities if they were not to be built on site. In response to some questions, the Bob directed attention to the new Weston Creek Recreation Park and the upgraded Weston Oval and the proximity of these facilities to Holder residents and Defence Force College personnel.

There was debate on the ability of the government education system to accommodate in-area children from the new housing. Several schools were at capacity or very close to their limit. A number of schools in Weston Creek did have the potential to accept enrolments. It was not known at this stage what the personal preference of parents in the new housing would be with regard to government vs non-government schooling of their children.

Bob informed the meeting of representations to Brendan Smyth regarding the disused services stations in Weston Creek at Holder and Rivett. It was indicated that the oil companies have 6 months to find an alternate operator for the site and up to another 12 months to consider alternate uses of the site. At present the Holder site is out of this time period but not Rivett.

Holder and Rivett service stations are both fenced and look in substantially worse condition than the unfenced and closed Lyons service station.

The meeting suggested that Bob Sutherland write to Minister Brendan Smyth and the oil companies concerned seeking information on their intentions for the sites.

The WCCC has received representations regarding several recent accidents and near misses at the Liardet Street corner near Weston Brake and Clutch. The improvements to Brierly Street and Trennery Sts have had the desired effect of encouraging traffic to use Liardet St and avoid Brierly St. This however has had the impact of increased traffic flows on Liardet Street.

In correspondence from Minister Brendan Smyth the Dept of Urban Services indicated that there is little that can be done in regard to a medium strip and this may encourage vehicles to become airborne. Improved line marking of the area is planned. If this does not reduce the problem the WCCC will ask the Dept of Urban Services to consider a ‘squeeze point’ on Liardet St to slow traffic.

The WCCC has been approached to make representations regarding the provision of a pedestrian crossing in Blackwood Terrace Holder adjacent to the Holder Shops. A new tenant was opening a cafe in May/June in the vacant shop at Holder. Bob has contacted Tony Gill at ACT Roads and Traffic to ask that this be considered. Minister Humphries indicated that as a result of the warrants system being adopted in the ACT a numerical quantitative approach would be used in considering the request.

Bob Sutherland indicated that there were two housekeeping issues that needed approval. The first was a mailout for the advertising of the AGM on 24^th May and the second; a flyer for the June meeting. Accepted Allan Hingee seconded Chris Hunter.

The meeting was advised that the WCCC has applied to the ATO for an ABN. There was some debate regarding WCCC being in the GST system. Minister Humphries (also ACT Treasurer) indicated that it was appropriate to have an ABN number but possibly not be registered for GST.

The meeting was advised that the stage 2 plans for the Weston Creek precinct upgrade were on display at Cooleman Court. Stage 2 of the works proposed improving access to car parks, better lighting and reducing trip points in the vicinity of the entrances to Cooleman Court. Comments were needed and could be made directly to PALM.

The WCCC is on the steering committee to upgrade Rivett shops but and has concerns that the Government is putting in the funds but these appear not to be matched by the traders. Little effort appears to have been made to attract tenants. Only the public open spaces (non-leased areas) are being dealt with. If there were not joint co-operation the WCCC would prefer the funds spent on Fisher shops, which are also listed for assistance. Integrating the disused service station into the shops upgrade is critical. Until we know what the Oil Company wish to do with the site, spending funds on the shopping centre surrounds appears somewhat shortsighted. The WCCC believes that plans have been drawn up, but we would be very concerned if these have gone to the tender stage.

Meeting closed at 9.45pm

Next Meeting Wednesday 26^th April 2000