Community fears as Geocon, Empire submit amended DA for Gungahlin development

But some members of the Gungahlin community have again expressed concerns about height and traffic flow of the development, as well as its impact on a neighbouring childcare centre.

According to application papers submitted to the ACT Planning Authority, the number of units would be increased from 270 to 290, parking spaces would increase by 27 and a pool and spa would be added.

As well, residential units would be removed from the ground floor and commercial tenancies would be added. There would also be changes to materials used on the facade and this would change the colouring of the development.

The original proposal for a project dubbed Air Apartments was put forward in 2016 by developer Empire Global, this was amended in 2017 and the application was approved in 2018. However, last year Geocon was brought onto the project in a joint venture between the developers.

The development was re-branded to be called The Establishment. This is the second joint venture between the developers after Geocon stepped in last year to help Empire redevelop a site in Tuggeranong.

The increase in the number of rooms is because a number of three-bedroom apartments have been changed to one-bedroom. Geocon had previously flagged this last year after the joint venture was announced.

Not everybody is happy with the proposal. The Gungahlin Community Council opposed the first development application when it was lodged in 2017 and have again conveyed concerns.

Gungahlin Community Council president Peter Elford said most of the issues were around the height of the development and the traffic flow. He said no visitor parking was planned for the site.

The first application for Air Apartments had proposed a 26-storey building but this was revised down to 18 storeys. However, the amended development application has building heights that taper from 15 storeys to eight storeys.

"We still think it's inappropriate in that location because of its adjacency to a residential area," he said.

"Then in aggregate with the other developments, it puts pretty severe strains on traffic flow and there is a lot of things that could be done to improve the outcome of that campus and that area."

Advice has also been sought on whether a draft variation to the territory plan approved after the original development would apply to the amended application, Mr Elford said.

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At a meeting of the Gungahlin Community Council on Wednesday night, Mr Elford also said there was concerns about the adjacent YMCA Childcare Centre, which the development would overlook.

A shared driveway between the centre and the development would create "significant" safety risks and there would not be sufficient parking for drop-off, according to the presentation.

Apartments facing west would also look into the childcare centre and this was a privacy worry. Again, this was a concern expressed when the original application was lodged. The centre's operators said they believed the centre could be in breach of the UN Convention against the rights of the child treaty.

A spokesman from the Geocon and Empire joint venture said there would be consultations with all the relevant groups.

"Geocon will continue to consult with the Gungahlin Community Council to find the best outcomes for the Gungahlin community," the spokesman said.

"As part of that consultation we welcome feedback from the YMCA. We understand the YMCA have a number of concerns which we will seeks to address in the coming months."

Public consultation on the project will close on May 29.