099. Vyt Vilkaitis


QuestionResponse
What services do you believe are most important for the ACT? All of them are important. But we need to focus on the environment and the community/arts. But to support that we need thriving local communities - so we are less reliant on long trips (reducing congestion) and single events. Developing better environmental standards (eg less concrete areas and more shade for new developments), and develop Canberra as a centre for the arts/activities/tourism (eg more events like floriade but throughout Canberra - and not just pop up food vans - though they are good). So lets plan for our local communities better and not just let developers maximize their profits by making teeny community areas.
How can the ACT Government deliver current services more efficiently and productively or to better meet the needs of Canberrans?

You have done well with engaging better on some things. But I see planning could definitely be improved through better education of your planners to see how things could be done better to get more value from investment. For example, better integration of cycle/pedestrians in all planning can increase amenity and use of those areas. For example, both Erindale and Tuggeranong revamps did little to increase the amenity of the areas as cars still dominate the landscape. So this education can come from seeing what works in other livable urban environments (see Madrid killing cars; Holland; etc).

There are other good examples of making things look good and be fund - for example pedestrian/cycle paths and bridges can be designed with art in mind. Not just function. This means that when those services are delivered, cobenefits of delivery increase their value to the community and therefore is more efficient.

Are there particular services that you think the ACT Government can improve?Need to improve transport. The tram going to woden is a mess - there are few people along that corridor. Focus on where people live and congestion hot spots. Or even better, reduce the need to travel those distances. Seriously need to support decentralized business models (eg support Tuggeranong and Gungahlin business development). We need an A1 sports or arts venue in Tuggeranong.
What can the ACT Government do to make Canberra even more liveable?Move away from the hub system for shops (eg Woden Plaza). Manuka, Kingston, etc all work because they are community shops. Plan for bigger community areas - which I have not seen in Molonglo or Gungahlin areas. We need new Kingston and Manukas all throughout Canberra. No small 1 or 2 shop areas that struggle. They need to be large enough for people to come for a variety of reasons.