Eastern Broadacre planning project
The ACT Government is undertaking long-term planning for the eastern side of the ACT, known as Eastern Broadacre, as a potential employment corridor. Community consultation is an integral part of the planning process.
The Eastern Broadacre area extends from Majura to Hume and includes Symonston and the Jerrabomberra Valley. It is identified in The Canberra Spatial Plan (2004) as a future potential employment corridor, providing for the growth of industrial, broadacre commercial, tourism, recreation and transport related activities. This is reinforced in the draft ACT Planning Strategy (2011).
Initial studies identified ten areas for further investigation but only eight will be progressed.
Current status
In November 2011, the ACT Government approved the further investigation of some areas. Parts of Symonston, east Fyshwick and Harman are now priority areas for investigation in the short-term – over the next 10 years – with other areas to be investigated in the medium to long term.
In making this decision, the government considered comments received during the Eastern Broadacre consultation in 2010.
See the community comments here.
Next steps
Environmental, ecological, heritage and infrastructure issues will now be investigated. No development will start until statutory processes under both ACT and Commonwealth legislation are completed.
Pending results of further investigation, draft amendments to planning controls may be prepared. Separate formal public consultation will occur as part of changes to planning controls to the Territory Plan and National Capital Plan.
The ACTPLA website will be updated as planning progresses in the area.
Background information
In 2010, the ACT Eastern Broadacre Economic and Strategic Planning Direction Study (also known as the Eastern Broadacre Planning Study) was prepared. It informed a discussion paper that was issued for community and stakeholder comment from July to November 2010.
The study and discussion paper identified ten areas for potential development as employment areas. However, the Pialligo and Mount Majura investigation areas are no longer included; a separate master plan is being prepared for Pialligo and the Mount Majura investigation area will remain a broadacre zone at present.
A number of studies informed the Eastern Broadacre Planning Study, including:
- Southern Broadacre Planning Study (2005)
- Hume Industrial Area Planning Study (2007)
- Canberra Airport Master Plan (2009)
- East Lake Planning Study (2007)
- Report on ACT Lowland Native Grassland Investigation (2009) and ACT Government Response (2010)
- ACT Strategic Public Transport Network Plan (2009) - Final report for ACT Government Department of Territory and Municipal Services
For more information, please email easternbroadacre@act.gov.au
