5.1 Background

Broadacre Areas are defined on the General Policy Plan (refer Figure 1).

Broadacre Areas may act as buffers between towns, provide sites for uses which require large land areas or may benefit from or be best located within a non-urban setting, and in some cases provide a land bank for future urban areas.

To the east of the city, substantial areas of land are set aside in the Plan for broadacre uses. Subject to the outcome of detailed study and the qualifications detailed below, these areas may offer the opportunity in the long-term to be considered for the siting of future industry, transport facilities, defence installations, institutions and other activities requiring significant large sites. They may become of considerable economic importance to Canberra over time, and offer a basis for the further economic development of the city in a manner complementary to its function as the National Capital.

The Majura Field Firing Range occupies a substantial part of this area. The Department of Defence has advised that the Firing Range is a very important operational facility and there are currently no plans to relocate the Firing Range. If land ceases to be utilised by the Department of Defence at some time in the future, there may be scope for consideration of alternative development.

Aircraft noise under airfield approaches is an unavoidable by-product of flying operations associated with airports. The Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) system, expressed by noise contours centred on the airport, is a scientific measure of forecast noise exposure levels based on current and future projections of operational activities in the vicinity of the runway approaches. The system can assist in planning and development decision making. Information about forecast noise exposure in relation to Canberra International Airport can be obtained from the Commonwealth agencies with responsibility for aircraft noise regulation (currently Airservices Australia, and Department of Transport and Regional Services. The Department and Canberra International Airport Pty Ltd both hold copies of the Airport Master Plan which includes detailed information about aircraft noise).

Protected airspace provisions in relation to Canberra International Airport apply to development independently of the National Capital Plan. To satisfy a requirement of the Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations 1996, Canberra International Airport Pty Ltd has prepared a diagram prescribing protected airspace. The diagram is incorporated in the Airport Master Plan prepared under the Airports Act 1996. Detailed information may be obtained from the Commonwealth agency with responsibility for protected airspace (currently Department of Transport and Regional Services).

The Naval Receiving Station at Bonshaw is located within the Jerrabomberra/Symonston Broadacre Area. All reasonable steps shall be taken to protect Department of Defence wireless communications from significant adverse physical and generated effects of urban and associated development.

Some of the Broadacre Areas are included in the Central National Area (Designated Area) shown at Figure 4. These include the Duntroon Military College; the Australian Defence Force Academy; Campbell Park offices and the Canberra Airport/RAAF Fairbairn site.

Hardman Industrial Area

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