A Legislative Assembly committee has recommended the ACT Government withdraw a proposed rezoning of the former Braddon Bowls Club site.

The committee has found the plan inconsistent with the broader planning framework and saying community concerns had not been adequately addressed.

Draft Major Plan Amendment 07 would rezone the northern part of Block 16 Section 25 Braddon from a CZ6 leisure and accommodation zone to an RZ4 medium density residential zone. An indicative concept submitted with the proposal showed 38 townhouses with building heights up to 12.5 metres.

The Standing Committee on Environment and Planning received 26 submissions and held a public hearing, with the report finding “little support” for the proposal among local residents.

Concerns included the loss of community and recreation land, neighbourhood character, traffic and parking, pedestrian safety, overshadowing and impacts on Ainslie School, a nearby childcare centre, aged-care residents and the Braddon Tennis Club.

In its current form, the proposal was found to be inconsistent with the planning framework, including the District Strategy, with the committee saying the site’s established residential character had not been adequately addressed. It also criticised the use of a site-specific “spot rezoning” after recent broader work on the Territory Plan and District Strategies.

A key issue was a late change sought by developer Syzygy Developments. Nine days before the public hearing, the proponent asked to retain the existing CZ6 zoning but add residential use, rather than proceeding with the proposed RZ4 rezoning.

The committee said the revised proposal was materially different from the amendment referred to it and should go through a fresh statutory process if the developer wished to proceed.

The report also criticised the practice of deferring community concerns to the later development application stage, saying meaningful engagement on rezoning was not possible if major issues such as traffic, overshadowing and height were simply left to be dealt with later.

Its second recommendation calls for the government to consider constructing a pedestrian and cycling crossing on Elder Street linking the existing path with Ainslie School. The committee said safety for vulnerable road users should be addressed regardless of what ultimately happens to the site.

Planning Minister Chris Steel can approve the draft amendment, withdraw it or return it to the Territory Planning Authority for further consultation or revision.

The government is required to respond to the committee’s report within four months of its tabling, by January 11, 2027.

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