Tuggeranong: A Pen Picture

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It is now some ten years since I wrote “watch this space for more updates on Tuggeranong.

 There have been no geographical changes to Tuggeranong, it is still the ‘gateway to the Brindabella’s’.  Even more a place to live in and a delight to visit.  Even the dreadful bush fires of 2003 could not dampen the spirit of the Valley.  Stromlo observatory and the café at Cotter were the only ‘touristy’ places to be affected but some five years later, even after a severe drought, life is returning to the Brindabellas. 

 It took some time for businesses to find their way to the town centre but after refurbishment of the ‘Lifestyle’ area of the Hyperdome, it seemed to wake everyone up and businesses took the hint and began to believe that Tuggeranong was the place to be.  So much so that almost all the land that was vacant ten years ago, is now almost all developed.  CentreLink is one of the newest agency’s’ to come to Tuggeranong, along with the NRMA, Health Clubs, and a drop in centre on Anketell Street for young mums and bubs.  The Hyperdome has created a ‘Café Culture’ on its side of Anketell Street and a new unit complex has been built opposite the swimming pool, overlooking the lake.   

Lanyon now has its own shopping centre, a project worked on between the residents and the main shopping outlet Woolworth’s.  The area now has childcare centres and fast food outlets.  Residents in this area Gordon, Condor and Banks now await a The duplication of Tharwa Drive, to enable them to get to work out of the valley, in less time than it takes now.

The sports minded in Tuggeranong have not been left behind, there is now a tennis compound in Macarthur called ‘mPower’.  It caters for all ages and all grades of tennis players.  It is an undercover area which can roll the sides up and can be seen amongst the pine trees close to Isabella Drive, the other side of the road from Chisholm shops.

Added to the five Vikings Valley Clubs, Southern Cross Club and Burns Club, we now have The Royals Club at Calwell.  Opposite this club, on the Tuggeranong Homestead site, can be found a ‘Trash and Treasure’ market on the second Sunday of every month.

 The ‘Hi-tec’ skate park by the lake still enjoys a good patronage by the youth of the Valley.. A smaller one has been added to the youth centre at Lanyon, with the bike track at Kambah, all that is needed is a motor cross track, and all small, middle and big wheel sports will be catered for.

A pleasant evening’s entertainment may still be enjoyed at the Art Centre by the lake.  This small but well run centre has a programme of plays, performed by well known actors and actresses and is also a launching platform for up and coming actors.  

In the last ten years we have seen many projects completed in the Valley, particularly in the Town Centre.  We can look forward to consolidating what is already there and what may develop over the next ten years. 

Here’s to these years.

D.T. Lissimore
2008

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