First stage of Dickson Tradies plan gets nod but concerns linger

The first stage of a controversial plan to demolish the Dickson Tradies Club and build a multi-building apartment complex has been approved by the ACT's planning authority.

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More than 600 new apartments are planned for the 1.8-hectare site in the heart of the Dickson group centre, according to the Tradies' masterplan for the area.

Dickson Squash Club treasure Richard O'Rourke says the club's future is uncertain as the Tradies developments progresses. Picture by Karleen Minney

The sign-off occurred despite community opposition, with a spokesperson from the Dickson residents group saying that they feel they have not "really been listened to".

The first stage, which was given the green light by the planning authority last week, includes a six-storey building and a 13-storey building with 246 residences between them.

An artist's impression of the Dickson Tradies development. Picture supplied

The buildings would also include 10 commercial units, communal amenities and three levels of basement car parking.

Five other residential buildings would be constructed over the future stages of the development, including a total of 5143 square metres of commercial space across the site. The club would continue to operate on the ground floor of one of the new buildings.

'Irons in the fire': future of squash club uncertain

The plan to develop on the Tradies site has been controversial since it was first put to the planning authority in August last year.

While some local businesses supported having more residents in the area, others told The Canberra Times they were concerned construction would slow already poor foot traffic in the area.

Treasurer Richard O'Rourke said the club had a "few irons in the fire" about its future, but said the club would ideally stay in the area.

"They're gonna spend a lot of money here, and they could have some squash courts in the basement of the building," Mr O'Rourke said.

An aerial view of the planned development in Dickson. Picture supplied

"I've seen that happen, but they're not even considering it."

In a letter filed as part of its development application, the Tradies said it had considered building replacement squash courts in the development, but decided against it.

"A purpose-built squash facility requires a large enclosed footprint, specific building requirements, dedicated access, amenities, servicing, maintenance and ongoing operating support," the letter said.

"Squash courts are also specific to one sport and do not readily support other uses or income streams. This narrows their commercial appeal and limits their ability to contribute to broader precinct activation."

Scale of development questioned

"The larger building is well in excess of what has been built anywhere in Dickson previously and is inconsistent with the Territory Plan," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the group would hold a meeting with the community to better understand opinions about the approval, but said the group was disappointed that the approved plan was "largely" unchanged from the previous one despite community consultation.

"In terms of the scale of the development, it hasn't changed. You're going to have significant overshadowing, there's wind tunnels, it has an impact on pedestrians moving through the area," the spokesperson said.

"We just don't feel like after all that consultation that our concerns and other people's concerns have really been listened to."

The Tradies was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for publication.

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