The ACT government is proposing putting a new town centre in the Molonglo Valley and says the district's population is expected to grow more than first thought. The National Capital Authority has given its in principle support for the plan, which locals hope could make their community more liveable.
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00:00 New plans for a growing district. As many as 70,000 people could be living in the Malonglo
00:07 Valley by 2050. It's prompted the ACT government to seek a change to the National Capital Plan
00:15 to allow for a sixth town centre. It's a step up from the previous plan for a group centre,
00:21 similar to Kippax and Erindale.
00:23 The concept of a town centre is really a focal point for higher order retail uses, commercial
00:30 uses, office space and community facilities.
00:35 As the area continues to take shape, many Malonglo residents are still travelling elsewhere
00:40 for work, shopping and other essentials.
00:43 We've seen really, really bad traffic and congestion, both trying to get across to Belconnen
00:49 and trying to get out to Woden.
00:51 Community leaders say the push for a town centre could have come sooner, but is welcome
00:56 nonetheless.
00:57 This is about providing jobs closer to people and people closer to jobs. It's a basic fundamental
01:01 tenet of Canberra's urban structure. We provide these opportunities, these services, these
01:06 amenities close to where people live.
01:08 But the area's population growth hasn't always been consistent. A land ballot in the suburb
01:14 of Whitlam last year was undersubscribed. It's left some businesses unsure about exactly
01:19 what to plan for.
01:21 Four years ago when I was taking up this shop, the growth was there. People were flocking
01:27 in here, so I knew where I was heading.
01:29 If the National Capital Authority signs off, development of the new town centre could begin
01:34 as soon as next year.
01:36 [BLANK_AUDIO]