Geocon given permission to close road before consultation

The directorate also endorsed a Geocon development application that would remove disability parking from the front of a dentists' clinic and radiologist in a neighbouring building, despite no evidence the community had been consulted on the change.

Consultation on the application for works on Cameron Avenue, Belconnen, next to Geocon's large-scale Republic development, was due to close on Monday, but has been extended after a traffic report was omitted from the documentation.

Geocon on Friday wrote to neighbouring building occupants to say the Cameron Avenue upgrades had been delayed and the notification period extended. The road block on Cameron Avenue would be removed over the weekend and further consultation would follow, the letter said.

Transport Canberra and City Services confirmed Geocon had been told to remove a temporary traffic management plan, which was approved on April 28, pending the outcome of the amended development application.

It is unclear why this traffic plan was approved before the amended construction works were approved. The directorate did not provide a copy of the temporary traffic management plan.

People With Disabilities ACT executive director Craig Shannon said the organisation would write to the Transport Minister to seek clarification.

"We're obviously concerned about a proposal like this, given that, with an increase in density, there should be an increase in demand in these spaces," Mr Shannon said.

"We think the suggestion is contrary to best practice policies, especially when there's increasing demand not decreasing demand."

A spokesman for Geocon declined to comment specifically but said the new development would add 400 public car spaces and significant consultation had been conducted for the entire project.

The Sunday Canberra Times understands occupants of neighbouring buildings were not directly consulted on the road closures or changes to Cameron Avenue, and the medical practices were not made aware of the proposed changes to accessible parking.

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Belconnen Community Council chair Glen Hyde said the experience had highlighted further gaps in the planning process which needed to be reviewed and fixed.

"This particular process has left everyone confounded and dumbfounded," Mr Hyde said.

A Transport Canberra and City Services official last year wrote to consultants acting on behalf of Geocon to offer the directorate's support for the proposal, noting "the impacted accessible parking spaces outside Section 45 may need to be relocated".

A spokeswoman for the Transport Canberra and City Services directorate said the directorate supported the amendments subject to further analysis, which identified the development included enough accessible car parks.

A traffic impact assessment was not included in the amendment when it was first lodged. A traffic report has been added to the documentation open for public comment after the notification period was extended until June 2.

The report says 16 disability permit spots would be provided within the development's basement, meeting requirements. The loss of neighbouring disability permit car parking is not addressed by the report.