Tenders have been called for the final stage of Denman Prospect, a $150-million project in Canberra’s newest suburb in the rapidly expanding Molonglo Valley.
Developers have until September 11 to tender for the final piece of one of the capital’s most ambitious housing projects, which comprises 40ha of residential and mixed-use land holding approval for up to 2950 homes across medium and high-density zones.
The Denman Prospect Stage 3 will complete the transformation of what was farmland a decade ago into one of Canberra’s fastest-growing suburbs.
Suburban Land Agency chief executive Adam Davey said the final stage was in a key location, “literally across the road from where Canberra’s sixth town centre will be”.
“The goal here is to deliver a diverse and high-quality residential precinct that integrates with what’s already happening in Stages 1 and 2 and with the future Molonglo Town Centre,” he said.
The suburb is already home to 10,000 residents, and the broader valley is projected to house nearly 70,000 people by 2050.
Unlike many staged releases, the ACT Government is selling the entire site as one package, giving the successful bidder control over how the development unfolds.
The Stage 3 site, a 15-minute drive west of the Canberra CBD, is to include 144 affordable homes, 207 community housing units and 60 public housing properties.
The project also incorporates commercial spaces, a primary school site and playing fields within its zoning framework spanning RZ4 medium-density residential, RZ5 high-density residential, CZ5 mixed-use commercial, CFZ community facilities, and PRZ1 urban open-space designations.
It must also operate without gas connections, relying on renewable electricity as part of the ACT’s push towards zero emissions by 2045.
The suburb will be near the future Molonglo Town Centre, which itself will eventually house 15,000 people and provide shopping, schools and services.
The development must work around natural features including Cravens Creek and connections to the nearby Molonglo River, and landscaped areas form part of the tender requirements.
The project hinges on the completion of the Molonglo River Bridge by 2026, which will link the northern and southern parts of the valley and reduce traffic congestion. Construction of the development could begin once these infrastructure requirements are completed.
Civium Property Group is handling the sale process, and tender documents are available through the ACT government’s procurement portal.
The successful bidder is expected to be announced in October.
The Stage 3 tender call comes as development activity ramps up across Denman Prospect.
Bronte Group has proposed 152 homes across two developments in the suburb, while Elevated Living has lodged plans for 60 townhouses and apartments on a site overlooking the Molonglo River
