We, the undersigned, object to the poor consultation process underpinning the Kippax Masterplan. We wish to inform the ACT Legislative Assembly that planners have ignored community wishes. The community clearly voiced its opposition to loss of greenspace, preferring any future development to be sited at the carpark west of the Mall (with multistorey car parking, e.g., above new buildings, to replace existing parking).

We further claim that the secrecy surrounding the Kippax flood study has prevented a transparent process. The flood study clearly states that the carpark is the most suitable development site, which supports community views. Even without additional development, the North Kippax Ovals already have unacceptably high flood risk.

The proposed site of the development to the East of the mall is likely to marginalise businesses along Hardwick Crescent (West), whereas development in the carpark area would do the opposite and link them more firmly in the matrix of the shopping precinct.

The flood study fails to consider impacts of the natural watercourses downstream of increased high volume, high velocity flows, including bank erosion, decreased water quality, impacts on riparian wildlife and damage to infrastructure such as the Kippax Creek footbridge and adequacy of the Gross Pollution Trap. The community is also opposed to the loss of mature trees that the current Kippax Masterplan would entail.

In view of these concerns, we claim the current tender process is invalid. We demand that the Government review this decision, and the deceptive process by which it was made and amend the Kippax Master Plan to redevelop the existing carpark instead of the ovals, in line with community wishes.