High-Rise Development Scaled Back in Canberra

Canberra residents have successfully lobbied for a proposed residential tower in Gungahlin to be scaled-back following fears of its impact on the neighbourhood.

Gungahlin Community Council Vice President Henley Samuel said the community was grateful that the developer listened to their feedback, according to the ABC.

"Our concern is about the density of that entire block and the impact that would have on traffic," Samuel told the ABC.

"Traffic is already a major concern for everyone in Gungahlin. It's particularly bad in that corridor along Gundaroo Drive."It really was just too big, especially as it would be developed across the road from two-storey developments," he said.

The "Air Tower" development was reportedly set to become the tallest residential tower in Gungahlin, comprising two 26-storey residential towers and an eight-storey adjacent building. The development's residential features include a function centre, two high-end restaurants, a sky park, a gym and a sauna.

The residential development would have housed about 300 apartments and 600 on-site carparks, but the new proposal has the towers scaled back to 18 storeys.

"Other residential towers under construction in Gungahlin's town centre include the 21- and 20-storey Infinity Towers and the 12-storey Mezzo tower," the ABC said.

"The proposed site is located at the northern edge of the town centre at the corner of Gozzard Street and Gundaroo Drive.

"Representatives from Empire Global, the company behind the controversial project, met with residents this week to present an amended proposal."Having spent time in the community consultation period the developers are reportedly very keen to see their development application come through the other side so the Air Towers project can get underway as soon as possible.