All about Belconnen
It’s booming in Belconnen BELCONNEN Town Centre is undergoing $124 million worth of major improvements, aimed at completion by the end of 2010. Tony Gill, director roads ACT at the Department of Territory and Municipal Services, says the series of improvements are aimed at “giving people better access to services in Belconnen, simpler bus routes and easier pedestrian access”. The demolition of the Belconnen Bus Interchange has been much publicised, with an arts exhibition which celebrated the structure’s 30 years of service to the northside. From Monday, May 25, three stations will be used for ACTION
Part of the In2CHANGE exhibition to farewell the Interchange.
The Belconnen Bus Interchange is being replaced.
to operate bus services; one of these, on Cohen Street, will become permanent. “The new bus station in Cohen Street will be the connection point for all school bus services in Belconnen,” says Tim Swift, acting general manager, ACTION. “Changes to public transport in Belconnen, in conjunction with ACTION’s regular review of bus services, will allow for a range of improvements and modification to services such as route timings, extended routes, additional trips and a new bus service for Fyshwick.” Cohen Street itself will be extended from Lathlain Street through Joynton Smith Drive to Emu Bank, and the Westfield Mall will be extended along Lathlain Street and over Joynton Smith Drive. Traffic lights will be installed at six key intersections (including the Luxton/Lathlain Street intersection, this installation under the Federal Government’s Road Safety Black Spot Program). Tony Gill says this will “manage the changed traffic arrangements and improve access for pedestrians and cyclists”. For more information, visit www. tams.act.gov.au.
Reshaping the lake BELCONNEN Lakeshore is also getting a facelift, with the Emu Inlet (west of the Belconnen Arts and Cultural Centre) to be upgraded. “The shoreline of Lake Gininderra will be reshaped to improve levels for pedestrian safety and access around the lake, and to improve water quality,” says Russell Watkinson, director, parks, conservation and lands, TAMS. “The Belconnen lakeshore refurbishments will see improvements to the Emu Reach, Casurina Park and Emu Bank spaces within the Emu Inlet area. “Lakeshore improvements will also strengthen links to other recreational and functional areas in the Belconnen Town Centre.” The area surrounding the Belconnen skate park will also be revitalised with the Lake Residents can enjoy a Gininderra Forepleasant stroll along the shore upgrade. foreshore.
BELCONNEN TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENTS Belconnen Town Centre Improvements The ACT Government, in partnership with Westfield, is implementing significant improvements to the Belconnen Town Centre. These improvements will deliver better access to public transport and a greater choice and variety in retail shopping for north-side residents. The Belconnen Town Centre improvements include three primary projects: 1. Cohen Street extension 2. Belconnen Bus Interchange demolition 3. Westfield Belconnen upgrade
Permanent arrangements will see Cohen Street extended from Lathlain Street through Joynton Smith Drive and the existing bus interchange to Emu Bank. To mange the changed traffic arrangements, new traffic lights will be installed at the following locations: • Benjamin Way/Emu Bank • Emu Bank/Eastern Valley Way • Cohen Street/Josephson Street • Cohen Street/Nettlefold Street • Cohen Street/Lathlain Street
Belconnen Lakeshore Refurbishments – Precinct 1 Emu Inlet As part of the Belconnen lakeshore refurbishments, the Emu Inlet – west of the Belconnen Arts and Cultural Centre site – is to be upgraded. The shoreline of Lake Ginninderra will be reshaped to improve levels for pedestrian
Precinct 1 Emu Inlet Landscape Masterplan (include stages 1 & stage 2 works)
safety and access to, and around the lake; and to improve water quality. The Belconnen lakeshore refurbishments will see improvements to the Emu Reach, Casurina Park and Emu Bank spaces within the Emu Inlet area. Lakeshore improvements will also strengthen links to other recreational and functional areas in the Belconnen Town Centre. Construction design work for the Emu Inlet upgrade began in 2007 with further design work being carried out in 2008. Construction works will be carried out in two stages, with stage 1 to commence August 2009.
Lake Ginninderra Foreshore Upgrade
Permanent Arrangements Map
10 CityNews May 14-20
• Improvements to the paving, seating and shade pathways • A shaded spectator space • Accessible pathways
for more information visit www.tams.act.gov.au
SM0018
The Lake Ginninderra Foreshore upgrade will revitalise the area surrounding the Belconnen Skate Park prior to full upgrade of the Eastern Valley Way Inlet. The upgrade will focus on the interface between Skate Park and Emu Bank and will include: