WITH the revelation that Molonglo Valley’s population will reach 86,00 people by 2060, local Liberal MLA Ed Cocks is calling for the area to have a town centre.

The ACT government’s recent population projections say the Molonglo Valley is expected to grow by 31,000 people more than the previously forecast of 55,000.

“In five years, Molonglo Valley will be larger than Weston Creek. In 10 years, the population of Molonglo will be greater than the Woden Valley area and by 2040, Molonglo will be bigger than Woden and Weston Creek combined,” Cocks said.

“Currently, the Molonglo Valley, like Weston Creek, relies on the Woden Town Centre. The increase in the size of the Molonglo Valley population will exacerbate the existing problems with Cooleman Court, and road access to and from Molonglo suburbs.”

He said a group centre is effectively a larger local shopping centre, such as Mawson or Kippax, whereas a town centre is a larger-scale regional hub such as Gungahlin or Woden. A group centre has significant restrictions on shops and facilities compared with a proper town centre.

“A Molonglo Town Centre would attract greater investment, attract the larger scale stores that we all want to see and can give us the entertainment and recreational options people in Molonglo deserve,” Mr Cocks said.

“Woden is too far away for many Molonglo residents and Cooleman Court is already overloaded. I want to see a Molonglo Town Centre that means you don’t have to get into your car and drive somewhere else to get the things that you need.”