The Canberra Times January 16 2010

Fears Duntroon ovals to be annexed

EXCLUSIVE
By Victor Violante

The Defence Department has flagged concerns over the ACT Government’s
proposed $250 million Majura Parkway, arguing the planned alignment would
encroach on Royal Military College Duntroon ovals and create noise problems for
residents.

In its submission to a draft environmental impact study the ACT Government

lodged with the ACT Planning and Land Authority last year, Defence raised
concerns about the impact on amenities and residents at Duntroon, including the
loss of up to 3ha of a sports oval on Morshead Drive to accommodate the
proposed road’s alignment.

Construction of Majura Parkway is largely dependent on the Federal Government

funding the bulk of the $250 million, 11.5km four-lane road, which would run west
of Majura Road and connect the Federal and Monaro highways as a freight
corridor and quick north-south route.

Defence’s submission said the environmental impact study from Roads ACT
failed to consider the construction and operational noise impacts on Duntroon
residents in the senior officer married quarters, which are adjacent to the playing
fields and golf course and would be closest to the parkway.

It also expressed concerns about proposed overnight and weekend construction

work near residences. “Defence is concerned that the EIS has failed to give
adequate consideration to the impact of construction and traffic noise on the
residential area, comprising Senior Office Married Quarters,” the submission
made in July said.

The ACT Government’s preferred alignment requires the acquisition of 3.3ha of a

Duntroon sports oval, which Defence is yet to agree to. In its submission,
Defence argued for an alternative alignment which would be more expensive but
take the road further from the residences and not require the loss of oval land.

The environmental impact study suggested that two other ovals that would
potentially be encroached on could be relocated further north, on the other side
of Fairbalrn Avenue. However, Defence rejected this suggestion. “Having
additional troops required to cross Fairbairn Avenue, a road which is likely to
carry more traffic in the future, to gain access [to] land used for training purposes
is an unacceptable risk to Defence personnel.”

Roads ACT director Tony Gill said yesterday the ACT Government had since
conducted further noise level tests to allay Defence’s concerns about excessive
noise for residents. Although yet to hear back from Defence, Mr Gill believed
concerns had been adequately addressed, and the ACT Government was still
negotiating with Defence for acquisition of the land. But Defence’s request for an
alternative alignment was rejected, and the preferred alignment will be retained in
the final environmental impact study.

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dealing for purpose of reporting news. Source: The Canberra Times – 16 January 2010