Amendments to the plan for the 12-storey Gungahlin residential tower, The Establishment, have been approved by the ACT government following an initial rejection to increase the size of the 270 unit apartment building.
Co-developers, Geocon and Empire Global had proposed an additional 20 units, a pool and spa, another 27 parking spaces and an increase of 360-square metres in floor area, for its tower on Gozzard and Swain streets.
The ACT Planning Authority initially rejected the amended plan, primarily because it did not address concerns by the neighbouring YMCA Canberra childcare centre, which would share a driveway with the new tower.
The now approved plan has been scaled back to 272 units, proposed changes to the building's facade will not go ahead and a new driveway will be developed off Swain Street for access to the childcare centre.
Gungahlin Community Council president Peter Elford said whether it was 270 or 290 units was neither here nor there.
"It's the fact that it's a huge imposing building immediately across the road from other residents," he said.
Mr Elford said the planning authority's decision to renege on the initial rejection was an incredibly disappointing outcome which ignored the concerns of the community.
"It's been a really poorly executed process at the end of a very sorry saga," he said.
Excavation begun on the site several weeks ago. Mr Elford said construction was already disrupting operations for the childcare centre.
Asked whether he agreed, YMCA Canberra projects manager Marcos Correa said "unequivocally yes".
"Although YMCA Canberra Region was consulted by the construction company to address issues raised in the previous refusal, the impact on our centre is already substantial," Mr Correa said.
Asked whether he agreed, YMCA Canberra projects manager Marcos Correa said "unequivocally, yes".
"Although YMCA Canberra Region was consulted by the construction company to address issues raised in the previous refusal, the impact on our centre is already substantial," Mr Correa said.
In order to address concerns over children's privacy, Geocon and Empire Global will construct screening to prevent occupants of The Establishment from looking into the centre.
Mr Correa said the YMCA understood the proposed screening and orientation of the windows would address the privacy issue. He said changes to the driveway proposal, previously labelled an "untenable risk" represented the best outcome.
"The driveway is the most welcomed change to guarantee the safety of the children, staff and participants accessing the early learning centre," Mr Correa said.
Geogon corporate affairs manager Elliot Woods said after engaging with the ACT government and the development's closest neighbours, the joint venture was pleased to have received DA approval.
"We look forward to getting on with the job," Mr Woods said.
