The ACT Government is calling for community input on the new Woden CIT precinct and public transport interchange, which will create new public places and green spaces to enliven Woden Town Centre.
“The CIT Campus Woden project will bring state of the art learning facilities, a safer, light rail ready public transport interchange, improved active travel links and vibrant public spaces to Woden,” said Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel.
“This new precinct will be a place that welcomes students, commuters and Woden residents – whether to study, use public transport, access local shops and services co-located with the campus or meet up with others in new public plazas and green spaces.
“It will revitalise the eastern side of the Woden Town Centre while better connecting it to the popular green spaces in Eddison Park and beyond.”
The new CIT Campus will be home to around 6,500 students, and approximately 10,000 commuters are expected to move through the new public transport interchange each day.
The project includes a new pedestrian boulevard which will connect the interchange through to the campus, on to a new shared zone linking Bowes and Bradley Streets with links through to the Woden Town Square and mall.
“Our aim is to deliver a modern, vibrant and well-connected space, so we want to hear from locals about how you will use and access this new precinct,” said Minister Steel.
“We are consulting on features like active travel, wayfinding, safety and what you want to see included in a revitalised Woden Town Centre. This community input will feed directly into the next stage of design work, following the appointment of a construction partner in early 2022.”
Based on the feedback to date, three secure bike enclosures and public toilets are being planned for use by the general public in addition to the facilities provided within the new CIT building for students and staff.
One of the bike enclosures and public toilets is proposed to be located in a new park between Grand Central Towers, CIT Woden and the new Woden Transport Interchange.
“We want to hear from the community about how they would like to use this new green space and what facilities could be included in addition to public toilets and secure bike parking,” said Minister Steel.
The Government is also seeking feedback on the East West Boulevard which will connect pedestrians from the interchange, through the CIT campus to Westfield and Woden Town Square. This new pedestrian axis delivers a key part of the Woden Town Centre Master Plan and would be built in place of the current road in the old interchange.
“This is an important new pedestrian connection in Woden and we want the community’s ideas on what elements would make it a welcoming place to dwell as well as pass through,” said Minister Steel.
Minister Steel also released the ‘What we Heard’ report on consultation undertaken between July and September on the proposed new local access shared zone between Bowes and Bradley Streets.
“We heard that shade, shelter, seating, active travel, landscaping and a communal atmosphere matter most in this pedestrian-focused area. This feedback will also help inform the overall design of the precinct’s public places and green spaces,” said Minister Steel.
Key early works for these significant projects are already underway, with road improvements and new bus layovers and facilities on track for completion in 2022. Construction on the new interchange will commence in the coming months.
“We’ve got a busy period of construction ahead of us as we work to rejuvenate this part of the Woden Town Centre. I’d like to thank the Woden community and businesses in advance for their engagement with shaping this project, and their patience as we get on with delivering it,” said Minister Steel.
To have your say on CIT Campus – Woden’s public places and green spaces visit: yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/cit-campus-woden
