Draft Amendment 95 - North Curtin Diplomatic Estate and Urban Area

Overview

The National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 95 (DA95), introduced by the National Capital Authority (NCA), aims to modify the land use policies for specific blocks in Curtin, Canberra, to enable the establishment of a new diplomatic estate and an adjoining urban area. Enacted in 2020, this draft amendment seeks to address the need for additional diplomatic facilities and urban development in the national capital by reclassifying certain lands from their current use to support these objectives. The policy objective is to facilitate the development of infrastructure that can accommodate the growing diplomatic presence in Canberra while creating a new urban area on land retained by the ACT Government. The NCA has opened this draft amendment to public consultation, inviting feedback to ensure the amendment aligns with community needs and expectations before final implementation.

Scope and Application

The National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 95 (DA95) applies to the land use policy of Block 4 Section 106 and part of Block 5 Section 121 Curtin, which are located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and are under the jurisdiction of the National Capital Authority (NCA). This amendment aims to alter the designated land use to facilitate the development of a new diplomatic estate on land acquired by the Commonwealth and to establish a new urban area on land retained by the ACT Government. The amendment is open to public consultation, inviting submissions from interested individuals and entities. Submissions can be made electronically, by mail, or in person, with the consultation process adhering to current public health directives related to COVID-19. This amendment extends the application of the National Capital Plan by modifying specific land use policies within the designated blocks, with the NCA being the body responsible for overseeing the amendment's implementation.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 95 (DA95) involve modifications to land use policies for Block 4 Section 106 and part of Block 5 Section 121 Curtin. This amendment is intended to enable the establishment of a new diplomatic estate on land recently acquired by the Commonwealth, and to create an urban area adjacent to the estate on land retained by the ACT Government (Sections 1 and 2). These changes are proposed to be reflected in the National Capital Plan, which governs the development and use of land in the National Capital. The obligations imposed by this draft amendment on parties and entities include a requirement for public consultation. This involves providing feedback on the proposed changes to the land use policies by close of business on Tuesday 7 July 2020. Submissions can be made via email, mail, or hand delivery as outlined in the document (Section 3). The NCA must also ensure that the consultation activities comply with current Public Health Emergency Directions resulting from COVID-19, and provide necessary information to facilitate informed submissions from the public. Breach of any obligations under this draft amendment may result in civil or criminal consequences. However, the specific offences, penalties, or consequences are not detailed in the document. It is noted that any actions taken in relation to breaches would be in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The draft amendment does not specify maximum penalties or detailed consequences for non-compliance. It is important for all parties involved to adhere to the consultation process and the obligations set out in the draft amendment to avoid potential legal repercussions.