The ACT Government has released construction tenders for infrastructure projects in the Kippax and Weston Creek shopping precincts as part of its suburban infrastructure program.

But while Chris Steel, Minister for Transport and City Services, claims the group centres will be improved, opposition MLA Elizabeth Kikkert says the government has ignored the views of hundreds of Kippax residents.

The Kippax Group Centre, the government states, is a meeting place, shopping hub, and centre for local services. Beginning in May, the government will “improve” the section of Hardwick Crescent between Luke Street and a nearby service station.

The shopfront pavement will be widened and improved, allowing space for outdoor cafes and public outdoor furniture. Shopfronts will be more accessible. There will be new plantings and landscaping to enhance the streetscape; a new bike rack and rubbish bin; new pedestrian crossings and lighting to improve safety for pedestrians; and direct pedestrian links between the currently separated commercial centres on either side of the large car parks.

Mr Steel said the preliminary design for improvements along Hardwick Crescent was developed in response to the Kippax Group Centre Master Plan 2019, after extensive site investigations and targeted engagement with local businesses and community groups.

“Based on community feedback, improvements will include making Kippax a better place for businesses and residents,” Mr Steel said.

Mrs Kikkert, however, is sceptical.

“I participated in the consultation for the proposed upgrades to Hardwick Crescent,” she said. “These improvements are fine, but they in no way address the problem of inadequate parking at Kippax.”

In November, Mrs Kikkert stated, the ACT Government sold off an entire public car park (block 5, section 53) for development, and did not provide any replacement parking – in direct violation of the Kippax Master Plan’s recommendations.

Since then, she said, parking problems have grown significantly worse.

“Increasingly, I hear from locals who tell me they have been forced to stop shopping at Kippax because the parking situation is so bad,” Mrs Kikkert said.

“This is not good for West Belconnen residents, and is dire for shop owners, who have documented reductions in trade over the past three months, and whose businesses cannot survive any further hits from this government’s mismanagement of Kippax.”

At the end of November, Mrs Kikkert presented a petition (signed by 536 people in three days), urging the government to resume public liability for the recently closed car park, and reopen it until construction began; to realign the parking configuration of the remaining car parks to optimise the number of parking bays (as the Master Plan recommended); and / or to open a temporary car park to service Kippax.

“The government has completely ignored everything residents asked for in the petition,” Mrs Kikkert said.

• Liberals and ACT Government clash over Kippax parking (10 February)
• Concerns over delay to Kippax Fair expansion (1 April 2021)

Questioned last month, Mr Steel said the government was not responsible for public liability insurance to non-government entities. The government had relocated 16 Park and Ride spaces to allow additional long-stay parking. It would look at future opportunities to reconfigure or add car parks, as the petition asked.

The new owners of the block fenced off the area, eliminating 66 all-day parking bays, worsening parking shortages, Mrs Kikkert remarked.

“The developer was willing to reopen the closed car park until construction begins in 18 to 24 months, but needed the ACT government’s help; the government said no.

“And there is no reason to believe that parking at Kippax won’t get worse. During Question Time last month, we asked Minister Steel if he would assure the public that his government will not sell off more public parking before the redevelopment of the shopping centre is finally allowed to go ahead. He declined.”

Weston Creek

Work will also begin in May to upgrade Weston Creek’s main street, Brierly Street, Mr Steel announced.

There will be more trees, improved landscaping, new seats, bike racks, and rubbish bins; additional space for outdoor dining (wider verges); and improvements to pedestrian safety (new pedestrian crossings and better lighting).

“Brierly Street is a flourishing cafe and restaurant strip, and these upgrades will provide more inviting spaces for the community and businesses to enjoy,” Mr Steel said.

Kaleen shops were recently upgraded, while improvements at Duffy and Campbell local shops are still underway.

• Local shops for local people: ACT Government’s infrastructure project begins (17 February 2022)