I note the editorial outburst in Thursday’s Advertiser regarding Armstrong Creek. It is to be expected that the press will nail their political colours to the mast in any election, and I’ve no doubt Andy Richards is quite capable of defending himself over these issues. Having said that, there are serious policy reasons why this editorialising is at best misconceived on the question of Armstrong Creek. I have previously written of them in this newspaper.
The Armstrong Creek Plan is beset with a fundamental contradiction of trying to accommodate unprecedented urban sprawl with elements of environmentally-sensitive urban design. In an attempt to reduce car-dependence and other ills associated with unreconstructed sprawl, the Plan included concepts such as ‘walkable’ neighbourhoods, ‘greenways’, substantial open space contributions, increased public transport services, and mixed density developments.
A recent Planning Panel Report essentially recommended stripping most of the ‘green’ elements, in an extraordinary capitulation to developers’ interests.
Expert evidence noted that even the original Plan lacked satisfactory targets and plans for providing key community infrastructure, such as child-care, aged-care and libraries. Other expert evidence noted that, without measures to reduce car-dependence, Armstrong Creek will add 24,000 cars a day to local roads. Additionally, delivery of public transport services will fail in the face of the existing malaise in Geelong’s public transport system.
Armstrong Creek needs to be subjected to the blow-torch of public scrutiny and critique. So far it has slipped below the public radar. It is a massive proposal with far-reaching impacts, especially those in Deakin Ward. Exposing shortcomings and proposing alternatives are essential to getting urban development right. Our communities expect elected officials to do this and do it properly. It is not satisfactory that ‘urban growth’ equates to rampant subdivision and developer profits; it must first and foremost establish and foster communities.
Bruce Lindsay
Candidate for Deakin Ward By-election
