A planning stoush around the design of the first shopping centre for the fast-growing Molonglo Valley means residents have no clear idea when they will be able to start shopping locally.
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The developer, Renato Cervo, had hoped to have the shopping centre at Coombs open by this winter.
However, the Environment and Planning Directorate has twice knocked back a development application for the proposed centre, citing problems including noise management and an unattractive design that "does not contribute positively to the streetscape".
Inspectors from Access Canberra also issued a stop-work notice in January "for building work being undertaken on the site without a development or building approval being in place". It remains in place until approvals are gained.
The site remains a cleared block with no indication of when building might start.
The Molonglo Valley has been designed for an eventual population of 50,000. A Land Development Agency spokeswoman said last week current estimates for the number of people living in the first two suburbs of Wright and Coombs was close to 2600.
Mr Cervo, meanwhile, says he feels completely beaten by the planning system in Canberra and does not believe he will tackle another project again.
He said only two people had lodged objections to the development application.
A directorate spokeswoman confirmed that was the case.
But two internal reviews by the directorate had also raised multiple questions about the design of the centre, including pedestrian access from Fred Daly Avenue, the failure of its facade to contribute positively to the streetscape, its potential noise problems for a neighbouring residential development and its ability to support "social and leisure activities" that would make the centre a focus for the Coombs community. It also raised concerns about how the design might not help crime prevention with "narrow internal areas, sight-line design issues, potential for entrapment and poor escape routes" .
Mr Cervo said he had submitted "a reasonable design" and made amendments in response to the concerns.
"People don't like the design. I think it's a good design," Mr Cervo said. "The system is very unfair because two people protest and it holds everything up."
Mr Cervo bought the land for $2.7 million and late last year expected the development to cost another $2.5 million and, if approved, be finished by June or July.
The veteran developer said on Wednesday he wanted to start work on the site as soon as possible, saying he had tenants interested in opening a supermarket, Italian restaurant, chemist, coffee shop and dentist at the centre.
"I want to start tomorrow if possible but my hands are tied," he said.
Mr Cervo said he had put in another amendment to the development application.
A directorate spokeswoman said: "I am advised that we are continuing to liaise with the developer in relation to this site, but that we do not currently have anything under assessment".
One of the objectors to the centre's original DA said it was "inconsistent with the the Molonglo Valley's high standard of design".
"I can't find anything positive to say about this design. It looks like a cheap and nasty reflection of failed shopping centres from the seventies, most of which are now languishing in disrepair," his submission read.
A second person, a Molonglo Valley resident, complained about the lack of bicycle parking spaces, the "minimal" landscaping, not enough "natural lighting" in the inner corridor and questioned if 100 car spaces was too many.
She suggested sacrificing some car spaces to accommodate "more foot traffic and alfresco cafes/ dining around the retail shops".
"Otherwise it will not be a 'community' shopping centre, it will be a drive-by 'drop in' shopping centre and the retail spaces will struggle to survive. People will not want to spend time there, just get in and get out," her submission read.
After the first DA knock-back, Mr Cervo did make alterations to his plans for the centre including revised colour scheme, elevations, floor layout, carpark arrangements and noise management provisions.
The revised application also included additional outdoor dining areas by removing some car parking spaces.
However, the directorate confirmed its original refusal and said not enough had been done to address the original concerns. Mr Cervo also has the option of taking the issue to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a decision.
