The Greens say Canberra is at a crossroads between next-level sprawl or a more compact, convenient way of life.
"Good planning delivers community good - healthier environments, the housing we need with services to match, all connected by great public transport," said Shane Rattenbury, ACT Greens leader.
"That's the plan the Greens are taking to this election, while the Liberals are flying in the face of sustainability advice and planning the ACT's least convenient community out in a cut-down Kowen Forest.
"I haven't heard one person say they'd like to move to Kowen Forest, while every second person tells me they'd love the chance to live at the site of the current racecourse.
"The Greens' proposal for the racecourse site would deliver a vibrant new inner suburb, serviced by two light rail stops, with great community facilities and abundant green space.
"It's an example of the combination of homes, nature, and convenience that we plan to replicate across Canberra, to improve liveability while we accommodate more people in the ACT."
Greens MLA Jo Clay says the election is happening just in time for the community to have a say on the future of the racecourse site.
"Freedom of Information has just revealed that Labor instructed the ACT Public Service not to consider any options for the racecourse site, other than the development put forward by the racing industry. That's not good enough.
"If the racecourse is to be re-zoned and re-developed, the government should at least consider taking responsibility for the development and building a whole suburb, rather than just tacking on some apartments to the side of a racetrack.
"This way the community can benefit from the development itself, and the large amount of money that stands to be made, instead of lining the pockets of a gambling industry.
"Gambling industries and private developers shouldn't prosper at the expense of this community that's in the grip of a housing crisis.
"Land is the ACT's most precious natural resource - we have to use it carefully to maximise community benefit."
The Greens' vision for a more liveable Canberra will:
- Set city limits and up-zone suburban areas to deliver all new homes close to existing services like transport, schools, parks and shops
- Dramatically improve public transport to remove the necessity of owning a car, with weekday buses every 20 minutes and every 30 minutes on weekends
- Invest in a great path network for walking, riding, rolling or pushing a pram, to improve accessibility and give everybody the freedom to choose how they move
- Re-integrate the environment into our suburbs through city-wide environmental restoration projects that promote biodiversity
- Deliver 10,000 public homes so Canberrans can pay rent based on how much they earn and reinvest the rent they pay back into this community.
"The Greens don't have vested interests holding us back," said Mr Rattenbury. "We're a people-powered movement with a clear vision for Canberra
"We can build the homes we need within our city's current footprint and make Canberra a more liveable city for all. It's absolutely possible - all you need to do is vote for it."
The Greens' vision for planning, transport and a more liveable Canberra is detailed at https://greens.org.au/act/platform
