Media Releases...Media Releases...[ Media 2003 ] [ Media 2002 ] In this section of the website you can read selected media releases from the Gungahlin Community Council in 2004.
The GAMVA ACT Election 2004 project an outstanding success
October 13, 2004The "Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter's Action" group (GAMVA) considers that they have achieved what they set out to do. The group was formed as a subcommittee of the Gungahlin Community Council and was formed to promote issues of importance to the Gungahlin and Mitchell region, in the lead up to the ACT election. "We set out to promote Gungahlin and Mitchell issues and to try to get election candidates to understand the problems we have" said the group's coordinator Ian Ruecroft. "We have really tried to offer all candidates an opportunity to get involved. Some have responded, but most find it easier to talk than to listen. It appears that there is reluctance from some political parties and election candidates to get interested in Gungahlin issues; which is probably easy to understand, as there aren’t many candidates who live here," Mr. Ruecroft concluded The GAMVA group has provided information to the Gungahlin and Mitchell community through the community newsletter (Gunsmoke) which is delivered to all Gungahlin homes and businesses. This information includes a comparison of the commitment made by each of the political parties and a "How to vote" guide. For more information visit the GAMVA website www.gcc.asn.au/gamva
Independent Candidates Presentation Election Policy Commitment to Gungahlin
September 25, 2004The Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter's Action (GAMVA) group will be hosting the independent candidates at a meeting to be held on Monday 27th September at 7:30pm at the Gungahlin Raiders Sports Club in the Gungahlin Town Centre.
This meeting is the fifth and final in a series of meetings that are open by invitation to all registered political parties (and independents), that will allow each group to present their election policies and commitments specific to Gungahlin in a structured local forum. The public is actively encouraged to attend. The meetings schedule is as follows: • ALP - 9th August 2004
• Canberra Liberals - 23rd August 2004
• LDP, FRC, CDP, Helen Cross & Harold Hird Parties - 30th August 2004
• Equality, Democrats and Greens Parties - 13th September 2004
• Independent candidates - 27th September 2004
• Confirm marketing distribution and election week strategies - 11th October
• Review outcomes and plan 2008 strategies - 25th October GAMVA was established to promote issues of importance to the Gungahlin and Mitchell region; by encouraging political parties to develop election policies that are responsive to the region's needs. GAMVA will actively support candidates who demonstrate sustainable commitment to the Gungahlin and Mitchell In the lead up to the election, GAMVA will produce a how to vote card that will inform voters and make recommendations to the local community, in a manner which enables them to elect members of government that can demonstrate genuine and sustainable commitment in addressing the needs and issues of the Gungahlin and Mitchell region. [Return to top]
ACT Democrats, ACT Equality and ACT Greens Presentation Election Policy Commitment to Gungahlin
September 11, 2004The Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter's Action (GAMVA) group will be hosting the ACT Equality Party, ACT Democrats and ACT Green parties, at a meeting to be held on Monday 13th September at 7:30pm at the Gungahlin Raiders Sports Club in the Gungahlin Town Centre.
This meeting is the Fourth in a series of meetings that are open by invitation to all registered political parties (and independents), that will allow each group to present their election policies and commitments specific to Gungahlin in a structured local forum. The public is actively encouraged to attend. The meetings schedule is as follows: • ALP - 9th August 2004
• Canberra Liberals - 23rd August 2004
• LDP, FRC, CDP, Parties & Ken Helm Independent - 30th August 2004
• Democrats, Equality and Greens Parties - 13th September 2004
• Cross, Hird Parties and Independent candidates - 27th September 2004
• Confirm marketing distribution and election week strategies - 11th October
• Review outcomes and plan 2008 strategies - 25th October GAMVA was established to promote issues of importance to the Gungahlin and Mitchell region; by encouraging political parties to develop election policies that are responsive to the region's needs. GAMVA will actively support candidates who demonstrate sustainable commitment to the Gungahlin and Mitchell In the lead up to the election, GAMVA will produce a how to vote card that will inform voters and make recommendations to the local community, in a manner which enables them to elect members of government that can demonstrate genuine and sustainable commitment in addressing the needs and issues of the Gungahlin and Mitchell region. [Return to top]
Christian Democratic Party, Free Range Canberra, Harold Hird Independent Group, Liberal Democratic Party, and Ken Helm (independent candidate) Election Policy Commitment to Gungahlin
August 28, 2004The Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter's Action (GAMVA) group will be hosting the CDP, FRC, Hird, LDP parties and Ken Helm, at a meeting to be held on Monday 30th August at 7:30pm at the Gungahlin Raiders Sports Club in the Gungahlin Town Centre.
This meeting is the third in a series of meetings that are open by invitation to all registered political parties (and independents). The meetings will allow each group to present their election policies and commitments specific to Gungahlin, in a structured local forum. The public is encouraged to attend. The meetings schedule is as follows: • CDP, FRC, Hird, LDP parties; plus Ken Helm (independent) - 30th August
• Equality, Democrats and Greens Parties - 13th September 2004
• Helen Cross Independents and Independent candidates - 27th September 2004
• 11th October - Confirm marketing distribution and election week strategies
• 25th October - Review outcomes and plan 2008 strategies GAMVA was established to promote issues of importance to the Gungahlin and Mitchell region; by encouraging political parties to develop election policies that are responsive to the region's needs. GAMVA will actively support candidates who demonstrate sustainable commitment to the Gungahlin and Mitchell In the lead up to the election, GAMVA will produce a how to vote card that will inform voters and make recommendations to the local community, in a manner which enables them to elect members of government that can demonstrate genuine and sustainable commitment in addressing the needs and issues of the Gungahlin and Mitchell region. [Return to top]
Canberra Liberals Presentation Election Policy Commitment to Gungahlin
August 21, 2004The Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter's Action (GAMVA) group will be hosting the Canberra Liberal Party, at a meeting to be held on Monday 23rd August at 7:30pm at the Gungahlin Raiders Sports Club in the Gungahlin Town Centre. This meeting is the second in a series of meetings that are open by invitation to all registered political parties (and independents), that will allow each group to present their election policies and commitments specific to Gungahlin in a structured local forum. The public is actively encouraged to attend. The meetings schedule is as follows: • ALP - 9th August 2004
• Canberra Liberals - 23rd August 2004
• LDP, FRC, CDP, Helen Cross & Harold Hird Parties - 30th August 2004
• Equality, Democrats and Greens Parties - 13th September 2004
• Independent candidates - 27th September 2004
• Confirm marketing distribution and election week strategies - 11th October
• Review outcomes and plan 2008 strategies - 25th October GAMVA was established to promote issues of importance to the Gungahlin and Mitchell region; by encouraging political parties to develop election policies that are responsive to the region's needs. GAMVA will actively support candidates who demonstrate sustainable commitment to the Gungahlin and Mitchell In the lead up to the election, GAMVA will produce a how to vote card that will inform voters and make recommendations to the local community, in a manner which enables them to elect members of government that can demonstrate genuine and sustainable commitment in addressing the needs and issues of the Gungahlin and Mitchell region. [Return to top]
ALP Presentation Election Policy Commitment to Gungahlin
August 09, 2004The Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter's Action (GAMVA) group will be hosting the ACT Labor Party, at a meeting to be held tonight at 7:30pm at the Gungahlin Raiders Sports Club in the Gungahlin Town Centre. This meeting is the first in a series of meetings that are open by invitation to all registered political parties (and independents), that will allow each group to present their election policies and commitments specific to Gungahlin in a structured local forum. The public is encouraged to attend. The meetings schedule is as follows: • ALP - 9th August 2004
• Liberals - 23rd August 2004
• Equality, Democrats and Greens Parties - 13th September 2004
• LDP, FRC, CDP, Hird, Cross & Independents - 27th September 2004
GAMVA was established to promote issues of importance to the Gungahlin and Mitchell region; by encouraging political parties to develop election policies that are responsive to the region's needs. GAMVA will actively support candidates who demonstrate sustainable commitment to the Gungahlin and Mitchell community. In the lead up to the election, GAMVA will produce a how to vote card that will inform voters and make recommendations to the local community, in a manner which enables them to elect members of government that can demonstrate genuine and sustainable commitment in addressing the needs and issues of the Gungahlin and Mitchell region. [Return to top]
GAMVA is a go-er!
June 17, 2004Following a meeting held at the Palmerston hall last night, the “Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter's Action” (GAMVA) was officially established. GAMVA was formed to promote issues of importance to the Gungahlin and Mitchell region. The general focus of the organisation is to be active in encouraging political parties to develop election policies that are responsive to the region's needs; and to support candidates who demonstrate sustainable commitment to the Gungahlin and Mitchell district. “The GAMVA meeting was exceptionally productive. We were able to establish the guidelines for the group's operation, elect a committee and make significant progress towards developing future plans and objectives”, said the group's coordinator Ian Ruecroft. The meeting agreed that the window of opportunity to engage politicians is very limited and as a result, GAMVA will be holding meetings on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. Meeting venues will be published on the GAMVA website. “The time to act is now. There is no benefit in complaining after the election is over; or just wishing for things to change. Political parties will only be able to act, if they know what the issues are,” continued Mr. Ruecroft. GAMVA is a proactive group that is prepared to act as a resource for all-political parties and election candidates. Although there are many issues that are common to all ACT districts, GAMVA's particular focus is related to matters affecting the Gungahlin and Mitchell district. “It is our intention to identify the election issues and identify the political parties and election candidates who are prepared to solve these issues. We are not interested in aligning with any political party but we will do our best to promote election candidates who are prepared to represent the Gungahlin and Mitchell community; after the election is over”, concluded Mr. Ruecroft. The latest GAMVA information also available via the web – www.gcc.asn.au/gamva [Return to top]
Inaugural meeting of Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter’s Action
June 14, 2004“It is time that the Gungahlin and Mitchell community DO DISTURB the political parties and politicians who continue to ignore Gungahlin and Mitchell's needs”, stated Mr. Ian Ruecroft convenor of the newly formed Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter’s Action. The Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter's Action (GAMVA) is not aligned to any political party. The sole objective of the group is to promote issues of importance to the Gungahlin and Mitchell region “The general focus of the group is to actively encourage political parties to develop election policies that are responsive to the Gungahlin and Mitchell regional needs; and GAMVA will offer support to candidates- irrespective of their party allegiances – that can demonstrate a genuine and sustained commitment to the Gungahlin/Mitchell district”, said Mr. Ruecroft. GAMVA invites members of the wider Gungahlin Community and Mitchell Business community to attend the official establishment meeting. What: Meeting of Gungahlin and Mitchell Voter’s Action (GAMVA) When: Wednesday 16 June 2004 Time: 7:30pm to 9:30pm Venue: Palmerston Community Hall Tiptree Crescent, Palmerston (next to the Palmerston Shops) The latest GAMVA information also available via the web – www.gcc.asn.au/gamva [Return to top]
 “Rally for the Road” an outstanding success!
May 09, 2004
300-400 people attended the “Rally for the Road”, a rally in support for the Gungahlin Drive Extension at the Gungahlin Marketplace yesterday. “The rally showed that there is indeed a huge ground swell of support from ordinary citizens, and that there should be the immediate construction and resumption of work on the Gungahlin Drive Extension” , said Mr. Peter Coggan, convenor of the pro-road action group GDE NOW! Speakers at the rally, unanimous in their support of the GDE were: - Mr. Barry Dee - Gungahlin Community Council
- Mr. Simon Corbell MLA - ACT Planning Minister
- Mr. Brendan Smyth MLA - ACT Opposition Leader
- Mr. Jonathon Reynolds – President ACT Equality Party
- Ms. Lisa Logue - Gungahlin Resident
- Mr. Harold Hird - Former Chair of ACT Legislative Assembly Planning Committee
- Mr. John Sykes - Gungahlin Resident
- Mr. Bill Stefaniak MLA - ACT Liberal Party
- Mr. Ian Ruecroft - Gungahlin Resident
”Let it be known that our work as an action group did not finish yesterday with the rally”, continued Mr. Coggan. “We will be keeping a watching brief on the progress of the road. If any NIMBY group attempts to stymie or obstruct the project then we will take the appropriate action in response” Mr. Peter Coggan concluded. GDE NOW calls on environmental groups currently against the road, to join with GDE NOW in a community involvement project after the completion of the road that will involve the planting of trees alongside the completed route. The latest GDE NOW information and access to a mailing list is available on the Gungahlin Community Council website – www.gcc.asn.au [Return to top]
Rally for the Road – Saturday 8th May
May 06, 2004 “This Saturday, 8th May, between 1 and 2 pm, come and SEE and HEAR the normally silent majority in action”, said Mr. Peter Coggan, Convenor of pro-road action group GDE NOW This is the first opportunity for Gungahlin residents to publicly throw their support behind the construction of the Gungahlin Drive Extension, a missing link that will be essential in providing an overall and integrated network for the whole of Canberra. The rally will be a family friendly event with free helium balloons for the kids. Speakers from the community and Legislative Assembly will speak in favour of the road. “We urge the community to turn out in force and show their support for the construction of the Gungahlin Drive Extension”, concluded Mr. Coggan GDE NOW! Rally for the Road
an event in support of the Gungahlin Drive Extension Date : Saturday 8th May 2004
Time : 13:00-14:00
Where : Gungahlin Town Centre (Gungahlin Marketplace) The latest GDE NOW information and access to a mailing list is available on the Gungahlin Community Council website – www.gcc.asn.au [Return to top]
Unequivocal guarantee for immediate construction of the GDE demanded!
May 03, 2004 The pro-Gungahlin Drive Extension group GDE NOW! is demanding unequivocal guarantees from both the current ACT Government and Opposition that the construction of the road will proceed immediately. “We want unequivocal guarantees that this road will be built and we want those guarantees now.” demanded Mr. Peter Coggan convener of the pro-road group GDE NOW! “The community deserves straight answers as to why the Government has got itself into the current stand-off situation with the construction process being tied in legal knots through appeals in the Supreme Court and AAT in the first place”, continued Mr. Coggan. “It is not good enough for the Government and Opposition to say they are working on resolving the issues by toying with new regulations and legislation. The simple fact is that the release of the ACT Budget tomorrow is going to push resolution of the road issue to the back burner… we want to see action now and so far as we are concerned the only meaningful action is resumption of the construction of the road”, concluded Mr. Coggan. There will be a pro-road rally organised by GDE NOW! this coming Saturday 8th May at the Gungahlin Town Centre. With the amount of support for the construction of the GDE, the rally is expected to be very well attended. Date : Saturday 8th May 2004
Time : 13:00-14:00
Where : Gungahlin Town Centre (Gungahlin Marketplace) The latest GDE NOW information and access to a mailing list is available on the Gungahlin Community Council website – www.gcc.asn.au [Return to top]
Anti-GDE lobby - Outnumbered, Outwitted & Outdone!
April 30, 2004Last night 35 vocal, placard waving supporters of the GDE NOW pro-GDE action group, staged a very effective non-violent picket and protest outside an anti-road meeting held in Gungahlin. The GDE NOW supporters then moved into the meeting making a total of approximately 100 attendees. The anti-road lobby (predominately from outside the Gungahlin area) were clearly outnumbered in a ratio of 3 to 1 by those in support of the Gungahlin Drive Extension. “It was apparent that the anti-road meeting organisers were somewhat surprised and taken completely off-guard as they did not anticipate the level of community support, simmering anger and passion to ensure the construction of the Gungahlin Drive Extension” claimed Mr. Peter Coggan convenor of GDE NOW After some very vocal interjections, attendees in favour of the GDE forced a change to the format of the meeting so that the bias against construction of the road was addressed and both sides were given an opportunity to state and make their respective cases. “Whilst the anti-road lobby does have some interesting contributions to make on how they believe transport issues for Canberra and Gungahlin can be addressed, they continually miss the point that their partial solutions need to be COMPLEMENTARY and NOT EXCLUSIVE to the construction of Gungahlin Drive Extension”, stated Mr Coggan “It is evident that the anti-road lobby are simply a vocal minority and they have managed to stir the anger of a sleeping giant in the Gungahlin community over this issue. The meeting last night demonstrated that the support in favour of the road seen so far is merely the tip of the iceberg” claimed Mr Coggan. GDE NOW will be holding a rally in support of the construction of the Gungahlin Drive on Saturday 8th May 2004 in the Gungahlin Town Centre. Speakers supporting the road from the ACT Legislative Assembly and the general community will address this rally. Residents from all over Canberra are encouraged to attend and show their solidarity and support for Gungahlin and the GDE. The latest GDE NOW information and access to a mailing list is available on the Gungahlin Community Council website – www.gcc.asn.au [Return to top]
Attendees at an anti-road meeting in Gungahlin will need to run a pro-road picket line to get in.
April 28, 2004GDE NOW! advises that it will be picketing in support of the construction of the Gungahlin Drive Extension outside an anti-road meeting to be held on Thursday night in Gungahlin. “STR and the Conservation Council are using the thinly veiled guise of a ‘transport forum’ as a front for an anti-Gungahlin Drive meeting in the heartland of Gungahlin” stated Mr. Peter Coggan convenor of the pro-road group GDE NOW! “GDE NOW! members will be picketing outside the meeting drawing attention to the fact that the Gungahlin Drive Extension is actually a COMPLEMENTARY and not EXCLUSIVE transport option that forms an part of an OVERALL INTEGRATED TRANSPORT NETWORK for Canberra”, emphasised Mr Coggan. “The minority NIMBY anti-road lobby chooses to provide highly selective and often inaccurate information about the road and its impact. These groups are deliberately misrepresenting and distorting the truth to suit their own selfish aims” claimed Mr Coggan. GDE NOW! is well advanced in the organisation of a pro-GDE rally for Saturday 8th May 2004 in the Gungahlin Town Centre. All residents of Gungahlin will shortly receive a Gungahlin Community Council newsletter outlining the rally details and a letter that can be sent to the Chief Minister in support of the construction of the road. Additional information and a mailing list is available on the Gungahlin Community Council website – www.gcc.asn.au [Return to top]
GDE NOW! Pro-GDE Action Group Formed
April 15, 2004At a very well attended public meeting of the Gungahlin Community Council last night, there was an overwhelming consensus and a resolution to form an action group in support of the construction of the Gungahlin Drive Extension.
“The group is called ‘GDE NOW!’ and was formed last night to fight for the immediate construction of the GDE” said Mr. Peter Coggan the groups convenor.
“Gungahlin residents are sick and tired of increasing delays, rising costs to the tax-payer and the NIMBY attitudes being taken by minority groups such as STR”, continued Mr Coggan.
The group will be active in organising pro-GDE activities over the coming weeks and months.
Planned activities include lobbying of politicians, letter writing campaigns, mail outs to all Gungahlin residents and a pro-GDE protest rally to be held on Saturday 8th May 2004.
A dedicated webpage and electronic mailing list will shortly be available via the Gungahlin Community Council website – www.gcc.asn.au [Return to top]
Use of Call-In powers on Section 13, Gungahlin noted
April 05, 2004The Gungahlin Community Council notes that the Planning Minister appears to have taken into consideration some of the concerns expressed with the mixed use development on Section 13 in the Gungahlin Town Centre by using “Call In” powers to approve this development application.
“The Council has never held any objections to the commercial aspects of this development,” stated Gungahlin Community Council President Mr. Barry Dee.
“However, we hold grave concerns that street level residential units in the Core Retail Area are in direct contravention to the Territory Plan and potentially create a longer term negative impact on the vitality and viability of the heart of the Gungahlin Town Centre,” said Mr. Dee
“The Council still has strong reservations that there are no legally enforceable mechanisms to ensure that any proposed street level residential development on East Street is converted to commercial uses in the future. Ultimately this may in result the eastern sector of the town centre having significantly diminished opportunity for commercial development, reducing the effective size of the retail and commercial core,” Mr Dee continued.
“It must be clearly stated that the Council has no issue with any residential development in the Town Centre core area that is above street level and over either retail, commercial or office space,” Mr Dee said in conclusion.
The Council is otherwise heartened that most of the comments made through the development application process have been acted upon favourably. The Council also looks forward to the increase in retail and commercial opportunity in the town centre that will result from the development.
At this point in time the Council is relying solely on the information provided in the Ministerial Media Release of 05 April 2004, as the Council has not yet been afforded the opportunity to examine the Call-In Power Determination.
The Council will decide what further action (if any) will be taken after examining the determination in detail. [Return to top]
Gungahlin Community Council Public Meeting - Wednesday 10 March 2004
March 08, 2004The Gungahlin Community Council will be holding its next Public Meeting on Wednesday 10th March 2004.
Guest speakers at this meeting will include: - Mrs. Helen Cross - MLA (Independent Member for Molonglo)
- Mr. James Koundouris - (Koundouris/Russell Group):
Presentation on the new Town Centre Development incorporating the new ALDI supermarket.
- Ms. Colette McKay (Community Social Section LDA):
Presentation on Aged Persons Accommodation Proposal for Block 9, Section 78 Nicholls.
The general public are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting if they are interested topics listed above or otherwise have a matter of concern in Gungahlin that they wish to raise in a public forum. [Return to top]
Community Council and developer work together to achieve more effective outcomes for Gungahlin Town Centre
March 04, 2004 The Gungahlin Community Council and local property developer Koundouris / Russell Group have worked together to achieve an effective planning and development outcome for the new “Gungahlin Square” development (Section 10, Gungahlin). This complex will be the home for the new ALDI supermarket in the Gungahlin Town Centre.
Through the public notification phase of the development application the Council identified a number of significant design and planning issues. The Koundouris / Russell Group were both approachable and responsive to the Councils concerns and through negotiation the following beneficial planning outcomes have been achieved: - Basement car parking capacity has been significantly increased to allow 177 places
- The street verge of Hibberson Street is likely to be extended, allowing enhanced use of the pavement areas for uses such as street cafes’, thereby reducing dangerous on-street parking and increasing space available for pedestrians and street trees.
- All two-bedroom apartments within the complex will have 2 dedicated car parking spaces, ensuring this will be a quality residential development.
- Acoustic treatments will be applied to apartments. This will ensure that apartments facing streets or above loading bays will have minimal noise intrusion.
- The developer has made provision for the later introduction of mechanical (vertical stacking) car parking solutions should parking need to be further increased at some later date.
- At the request of the Council an offer was made to the ACT Government Housing Trust to make a number of apartments available for purchase as “affordable housing”.
“We are extremely pleased with the positive outcomes that we have been able to achieve through negotiation with the developer. The Council found the Koundouris / Russell Group were very approachable and responsive to our concerns”, stated Gungahlin Community Council President Mr. Barry Dee,
Details of the final plans for the “Gungahlin Square” development will be shown at the upcoming public meeting of the Gungahlin Community Council on Wednesday 10th March 2004 [Return to top] | 
