A proposed nine-storey development in Casey in Canberra's north is an example of what could be – and in some cases has been – popping up around the city's suburban shopping centres.
The proposed mixed-use development, flagged to be constructed behind Casey Market Town, would house up to 500 people in a mix of units, townhouses and retail spaces.
The project is currently out for community consultation, but, if the application is approved, the developer wants to start building by the end of the year.
While some residents have raised concerns about higher-density buildings in Casey, the proposal is just one example of the kind of development that could be coming to more so-called 'group centres' located across Canberra.
'Group centre' versus 'town centre' – what is the difference?
Canberra's suburbs are organised into districts, town centres, group centres and other industrial areas.
Town centres, such as Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin, are larger groupings and community hubs, designed to provide residents with all they need to live, work, and play in the area.
Whereas group centres are commercial and community centres, smaller than town centres, but larger than a handful of local shops.
Casey is one of 19 group centres in the ACT, which also include precincts like Dickson, Erindale, Jamison, Kambah, Kingston, Kippax, Manuka and Mawson.
According to the ACT government, the distinction between town and group centres was designed "to ensure that people have a wide choice of facilities and services wherever they live or work within Canberra".
'Several concerns' about proposed Casey development: residents' group
Just because Casey is identified as a group centre, does not mean that some residents don't have concerns about how quickly or in what way the precinct will be developed.
Phil Essam from the Casey Residents Group said the suburb, which was already home to about 7,000 residents, might not be able to handle the sudden influx of people who would move to the area as a result of higher-density developments.
"We have got several concerns … lack of public transport out of the Casey area – we are still on an interim bus timetable," Mr Essam said.
"All the roads leading in and out Casey will need to be duplicated and other infrastructure including parking is going to have to be improved a lot."
Mr Essam said he was not against development, but there were other issues in the area that need to be addressed first.
"Infrastructure is lacking, and this just going to cause more problems," Mr Essam said.
"The roads and [public transport] will need to be improved."
Other residents a welcome boost for trade
But Kurt Bryant, who manages the pub Casey Jones, backs the project.
"I think it will be great," he said.
"Even the commercial space underneath will add something extra for people who are here, there is a large selection of places here and they are always busy."
Mr Bryant said after a tough stint during the pandemic, more people moving into the area was a welcome boost for trade.
"We have just had a development finish across the road and that has helped already," he said.
"Any more development like that will be great it is much needed for everyone."
'You get a positive outcome when you listen to the community'
Casey is far from the only group centre undergoing change and not all have been well received by the local community – a controversial project in Curtin was at one point referred to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
But Kingston resident Sam Graves says increased density around popular precincts should not always strike fear into the hearts of existing residents.
Mr Graves had issues with proposed developments in his area in the past but said the Atria development was an example of how it could be done right.
"That job was years of consultation with the community and what happens in the end is you get a positive outcome when you listen to the community," he said.
"Rigorous community consultation led to a better outcome."
Mr Graves said all development had the potential to be positive, but a "genuine effort" had to be made to meet the community's needs, especially in group centres.
"It is all very easy to build a big office building in the city and just walk away," he said.
"With local shopping centres people are there every day – it is part of the community."
