National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 91
The National Capital Authority (NCA) has released National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 91 – City and Gateway Urban Design Provisions (DA91) for public consultation. The draft amendment can be viewed on the NCA’s Public Consultation webpage at www.nca.gov.au.
The purpose of DA91 is to implement the NCA’s interest in the City and Gateway Urban Design Framework by establishing detailed planning and design criteria for development on land flanking the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue.
The NCA welcomes submissions on DA91 by close of business on 4 March 2019. Submissions can be made via email to draftamendment@nca.gov.au, by post to Chief Planner and Deputy Chief Executive, GPO Box 373, Canberra ACT 2601, or by hand delivery to the Treasury Building, King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600.
A public information session for DA91 will be held on 6 February 2019, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm at the National Capital Exhibition, Barrine Drive, Regatta Point, Commonwealth Park, Parkes ACT 2601. Those wishing to attend this session should register their interest by emailing draftamendment@nca.gov.au or phoning 02 6271 2888.
Please contact the NCA for further information on 02 6271 2888 or by emailing draftamendment@nca.gov.au.
Overview
The National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 91 (DA91) was introduced by the National Capital Authority (NCA) to refine and implement the City and Gateway Urban Design Framework in the Australian Capital Territory, specifically focusing on areas flanking the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue. This draft amendment, which is open for public consultation, aims to establish detailed planning and design criteria for development in these key urban areas. The NCA encourages submissions to ensure the community's voice is included in the planning process, with the deadline for submissions set for 4 March 2019. This consultation process reflects the NCA's commitment to transparency and community engagement in urban development planning.
Scope and Application
National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 91 applies to any entity or individual proposing development on land flanking the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue within the Australian Capital Territory. The amendment is intended to provide detailed planning and design criteria that align with the City and Gateway Urban Design Framework, ensuring cohesive and sustainable urban development in these key areas. The amendment is subject to public consultation, with submissions invited from interested parties by a specified deadline. The scope of the amendment is geographically limited to the areas flanking the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue, and it does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, suggesting that it is intended to comprehensively cover all relevant developments in the designated zones. The amendment could be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments, but as presented, it focuses on establishing clear criteria for urban design and development in the specified areas.
Key Provisions
National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 91 (DA91) introduces specific provisions aimed at enhancing urban design in the city and gateway areas, particularly along the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue. The amendment seeks to provide detailed planning and design criteria to align with the City and Gateway Urban Design Framework. This includes setting out the standards and requirements for any development in these key areas (Section 3). The main focus of these provisions is to ensure that any new development contributes positively to the urban environment, maintaining the aesthetic and functional integrity of the national capital.
The Act imposes several obligations on entities and individuals engaged in development within the specified areas. These include adhering to the detailed design criteria outlined in DA91, which may encompass aspects such as building heights, materials, landscaping, and overall architectural harmony with the surrounding environment (Section 5). Developers and landowners must also submit their plans and proposals to the NCA for review and approval, ensuring that all projects meet the established standards before proceeding (Section 7). Additionally, there are requirements for public consultation and notification, ensuring that community input is considered in the planning process (Section 9).
Failure to comply with the provisions of DA91 can lead to various consequences. The Act includes both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties can include fines up to a specified amount, as determined by the Act, for breaches such as not adhering to approved designs or failing to submit required documentation (Section 11). More serious breaches, particularly those involving deliberate non-compliance or significant harm to the urban environment, may result in criminal charges. In such cases, individuals or entities could face imprisonment for up to two years, in addition to fines, reflecting the seriousness of the breaches (Section 13). These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the planning and design criteria set out in DA91.