Bulldozing starts to improve laneway to Lake Tuggeranong

The "cluttered, worn, enclosed and uninviting" laneway between Anketell Street and Lake Tuggeranong is being bulldozed to create a more inviting space, rather than one stuck in the bland 1980s.

The Laneway project site starts at the edge of the Anketell Street road corridor opposite South.Point, continues through the Town Square, road cross-over at Cowlishaw Street and to the Lake Tuggeranong foreshore. It includes the two laneways that connect car parks to the north and south of the Town Square.

Construction started in April and is expected to be completed late this year. Part of the concrete jungle being removed will be replaced with an irrigated grassed area to encourage people to stop and enjoy the lake, even picnic there.

The Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate commissioned a concept plan to upgrade the area and consulted the community on it.

"The concept design shows the broad vision for a renewed space that is accessible, safe, useable and inviting; one that re-establishes visual connection to the lake, encourages people to move through easily and safely, as well as stop, enjoy the place and bring more vitality and commercial activity to Tuggeranong Town Centre," the directorate says.

City Services Minister Chris Steel said the laneway upgrade was part of $7 million in upgrades to revitalise the town centre.

"Work is on track to deliver the final designs, with minor changes expected in the section between Cowlishaw Street and Lake Tuggeranong to respond to feedback from the Tuggeranong Rowing Club regarding parking," Mr Steel said.

"Whilst construction was due to finish before SouthFest in November, the event has unfortunately been cancelled due to the pandemic, so we are looking forward to inviting the Tuggeranong community down to enjoy their newly upgraded laneways at the event next year."

The final plan outlines a more enticing space that has the potential for more outdoor dining and cafe areas.

There are plans to take away the "clutter" of the space, the raised walls, planters, old paving and the "derelict water feature" and "unmaintained street furniture" of the Town Square, to make a more open route to the lake.

As well as creating an "unobstructed view to Lake Tuggeranong", and smoother pedestrian access, there was also potential for a new cafe or kiosk closer to the lake shore.

The final designs include:

• views and easy pedestrian access from Anketell Street through to the lakeshore
• spaces for outdoor dining and cafe seating
• new shade structures
• low-level walls with inbuilt seating
• water permeable paving around the trees
• raingardens on either side of Cowlishaw Street
• a level and accessible open space suitable for everyday use and events
• approximately 40 new deciduous trees
• grassed space near the lakeshore.