The following residents of the ACT draw to the attention of the Assembly to the neglect and derelict state of the Richardson shop precent. The following residents note that:
- the local shops in Richardson have long been closed, with some retail space being empty for 9 years - the supermarket closed in May 2019
- the last tenant closed in 2022 - the entire precinct is now empty and in a state of derelict neglect, covered in graffiti and a site for dumping of rubbish
- these shops are privately owned, and the owners should be more attentive to keep the area clean and also to seek new tenants or alternate uses for the precinct.
Your petitioners, and the residents of Richardson therefore, request the Assembly to, in relation to the Richardson Shops, refer this petition to relevant committee and to call on the ACT Government to:
- seek a full update from the owner on any future plans for the site
- provide advice on what obligations the owner has in terms of meeting all the conditions on the use of land agreement
- provide advice on what residents can do to compel owners to provide a public good
- provide advice of what alternate use of the land and site can be considered
- provide advice of what changes can be made to planning rules such as purpose clause changes to the crown lease that would facilitate more timely responses and remedy for situations such as this report any findings and progress back to the Assembly by 27 August 2024.