How fast are our Canberra suburbs growing?

An ABC News item by James Fettes today includes the following interesting population statistics for the four local suburbs –  from the ACT Government’s latest population projections:

Suburb	2016	2020	Change

Hawker

2,849

2,808

-1.44%

Page

2,912

2,895

-0.58%

Scullin

2,845

2,825

-0.70%

Weetangera

2,600

2,505

-3.65%

Total ACT

396,551

421,839

6.38%

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Escalation of densification

At the end of last year, FoHV lodged an objection to a Development Application to build six two-storeyed townhouses at 150 Belconnen Way, Scullin which currently contains a house-sized building comprising a residence and flat.  At the beginning of this year, we received the Notice of Decision for the Scullin proposal which was rejected on the grounds cited by us and other local residents.  This decision is available on our website at www.friendsofhawkervillage.com, under DAs/Scullin.  We have now applied to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal to be joint parties with ACTPLA in defending their decision.  If the decision is overturned, this will set a precedent for similar blocks to be redeveloped in this way with major ramifications for the suburbs of Page, Scullin and Weetangera as well as for traffic safety on Belconnen Way.

It is also pleasing to see that The Olive restaurant is being well-patronised.  This development was first heralded after FoHV wrote to the owner of the building two years ago about the run-down appearance of the building and the depressing effect of the two empty shops (former dry cleaners and video store). The restaurant has provided a welcome lift to the Hawker Village.

Also of local interest is this article on Ron’s Bookshop: http://citynews.com.au/2017/pages-running-rons-story/