Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Select Committee on Public Housing’s Inquiry into Public Housing.
Ms Judith Henderson
Committee Secretary
ACT Legislative Assembly Select Committee
into Public Housing
PO Box 1020
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Dear Ms Henderson
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Select Committee on Public Housing’s Inquiry into Public Housing.
This is not a matter that has been considered by the Weston Creek Community Council. To the best of our knowledge Public Housing is not a high priority issue in our community.
However, there is one associated matter which has been raised from time to time. This is the issue of special housing for older Australians. Weston Creek has been fortunate (because of its central location) in attracting a number of developments which cater for this group of Australians. These include the Mirinjani Retirement Village, the Araluen Complex and the Croatian Retirement Village.
The Community Council believes that there is room for at least one more major development of this kind in our community and we are looking around to suggest a suitable site. The Weston Creek Community Council has been approached for possible sites for up to 141 old age person units in Weston Creek. Consideration of suitable sites is an ongoing process in our community. The Community Council is aware of the recent old age person unit development at Waramanga adjacent Waramanga shops.
The number of different housing developments for older Australians in Weston Creek means that there is an opportunity to provide jointly owned and operated recreational facilities for these residents. The cost of such facilities, which could include a small swimming pool and associated gym, could then be spread across a wider number of people and reduce the costs to individuals.
Any further development in Weston Creek has to take into account the likely effect such development would have on the nearby Mt Stromlo Observatory.
Again thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on this matter.
Yours sincerely
JEFFREY CARL
Deputy Chairman
16 August 1999