The National Capital Authority (NCA) has released National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 94 – National Arboretum Commercial Accommodation (DA94) for public consultation.
The purpose of DA94 is to add ‘Commercial Accommodation’ and ‘Personal Service Establishment’ as permitted land uses for the National Arboretum Canberra (NAC), and to introduce detailed planning provisions to guide the design and siting of such facilities.
Background
Following the 2003 bushfires in Canberra, the ACT Government dedicated an area of burnt-out pine forest as the new site for a national arboretum. In 2004, a national design competition for the new arboretum was launched and in 2005, Taylor Cullity Lethlean Landscape Architects and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects were announced winners with their joint proposal '100 Forests and 100 Gardens'.
The winning proposal focused on the establishment of 100 forests of rare, threatened and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world, and provided the foundation for a master plan for the National Arboretum Canberra (NAC). Work on the arboretum commenced in 2005. The Village Centre, Margaret Whitlam Pavilion, Pod Playground and Discovery Garden have all been completed. Substantial progress has been achieved in road, track, signage and car park improvements and in lighting, water harvesting and recycling, irrigation and water storage.
The NAC is currently managed by the ACT Government through the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (CMTEDD).
Hotel accommodation was included on the NAC’s original competition brief and master plan. The 2006 Master Plan Report identified a hotel, conference centre and carpark on the southern side of Dairy Farmers Hill.
The master plan was updated in 2018 and the hotel remains in the plan. The ACT Government’s CMTEDD has requested an amendment to the National Capital Plan (the Plan) to facilitate the proposal.
Public information session
A public information session was held on Thursday 13 February from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm at the National Capital Exhibition, Barrine Drive, Regatta Point, Commonwealth Park, Parkes AC T 2600.
Submissions
The NCA welcomes written comments on DA94 from interested parties as part of the consultation process.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.
We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
