Amberfield residents Di Johnstone and John Lombard at the village entrance. Photos: Ian Bushnell and LDK.
Residents of the new retirement village on the Cotter Road in Weston may find themselves in the middle of a tug of war between the operator and the ACT Government over who may pay for a possible new set of traffic lights.
LDK Amberfield residents have been campaigning for new bus stops and safer entry and exit to the village, which last week opened Stage 2, an apartment block and 20 dementia units, next to the horse paddocks.
They launched a petition that gathered more than 1000 signatures and won the backing of local MLA Fiona Carrick.
They say the intersection should not have to become a black spot before something is done.
The government agreed to undertake traffic modelling on the Cotter Road, which is one of Canberra’s busiest and the only access road east out of the growing suburbs of the Molonglo Valley.
But Planning and Transport Minister Chris Steel is insisting that LDK should pay for any access works, including new traffic lights.
LDK CEO Byron Cannon said the safety of residents, staff and the broader public was a priority, and LDK supported any intervention necessary to ensure that.
But he did not commit to funding any works, although it is understood that the company is prepared to make a contribution.
Mr Cannon said LDK received a development approval from the National Capital Authority that did not require road signalisation.
“Given LDK does not own or control the road and adjacent areas, we are in the hands of TCCS as to the determination they make,” he said.
Mr Steel said that if the Territory Planning Authority had handled the approval, it may have required traffic lights.
“It’s disappointing for the residents and from the ACT Government’s perspective that when this was proposed, it didn’t include the intersection infrastructure that perhaps otherwise would have been required if it had gone through the ACT Government’s planning system,” he said.
“Of course, now the residents are calling on all parties to provide a new intersection and potential bus stop access to the development that really should have been considered in the original planning proposal.”
Mr Steel said the Crown lease required LDK to pay for all reasonable costs associated with providing access to the development.
“We’re now doing the traffic modelling to understand what the benefits and impacts of a signalised intersection would be on the Cotter Road into LDK Amberfield,” he said.
“That would enable us to then have further conversations with both LDK and the residents about whether there could be a future intersection in the future.
“But we would certainly be of the view that LDK Amberfield, who built this development and who have a requirement in their lease to fund any improvements to access on the Cotter Road, should be making a contribution to the cost of the lights.”
Mr Cannon understood that a decision on the lights and bus stops near Amberfield was expected sometime next year.
He said LDK remained committed to ensuring safe and accessible transport options for residents and staff.
“We are actively engaged in discussions with TCCS to explore short and medium-term traffic solutions that can improve connectivity and safety around the village,” he said.
Mr Cannon said Amberfield residents could access private transport services and scheduled bus shuttles, and the village had a comprehensive lifestyle program to ensure they remain connected with each other and the broader community.
Mr Steel said a new set of lights would affect motorists coming out of Weston Creek and Molonglo, particularly with the new Molonglo River Bridge still under construction.
“It will still be a very busy road into the future, and every set of lights that you add has the potential to hold up the traffic, but it also provides benefits as well in providing access to the LDK residents for both private traffic and their ability to cross the road to access potential future public transport infrastructure and stops,” he said.
Resident John Lombard said the Commonwealth, the ACT Government and LDK should all contribute to the cost of the works.
Mr Lombard said he understood LDK was prepared to make a contribution but had not named a figure.
The bottom line was that the intersection was unsafe, particularly when turning west across the line of traffic, where a slight crest blocked a clear line of sight.
“Safety is our big catchcry and we are concerned at the heavy traffic twice a day up there,” he said.
Mr Lombard said that when the village was complete, there would be close to 1000 people on site, including hundreds of staff.
“There’s going to be a lot of builders here for a couple of years, and there will be a lot of traffic, and there are more residents coming in every day,” he said.
Amberfield has 52 occupied villas and last week opened Stage 2, featuring 107 studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, 20 secure dementia studios, a restaurant, bar/café, greengrocer with cook-chill meals, gym, care hub, 100-seat theatre, and dog park.
Stage 3, now under construction, will contain 194 apartments; a wellness centre with a three-lane swimming pool, gym, fitness space, saunas, and treatment rooms.
By completion in mid-2027, the village will have 373 homes and more than 500 residents.
It will have over seven hospitality offerings, including restaurants, bars, and cafes, and more than 100 activities a week for residents.
LDK operates on a transitional model where residents age in place, enjoying continuity of care, and move to more appropriate housing when needed or to nursing care within the village.
An Open Day is being held on Saturday (25 October).
