Canberra ‘Tradies’ Club Puts Forward 645-Unit Precinct

The Canberra Tradesmen’s Union Club has filed plans for a major redevelopment that would deliver 645 apartments on its site in Canberra.

Stewart Architecture has designed the project for the 19,057sq m site encompassing six blocks within the Dickson Group Centre, including 75 Dickson Place and 2 Badham Street for the club known locally as The Tradies.

The proposal includes 5000sq m of commercial space and 4400sq m of new club facilities around a central public green space.

According to the development outcomes report submitted to the ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, seven architecturally distinct buildings between 6 and 14 storeys would be built around a central park.

Three basement levels would house about 1250 carparking spaces.

The club plans to build in stages so it can keep trading during construction. Under Stage 1A buildings A and B would rise while a nursery, gymnasium and squash courts would be demolished.

Stage 1B includes creek naturalisation works while subsequent stages would deliver the remaining residential buildings and the completion of the central park.

Building costs are estimated at $94 million for the first stage of 246 apartments and 10 commercial units across 33,174sq m of floor space.

The project aims to operate without gas connections. Plans include rooftop solar panels, EV charging stations and water recycling. Food waste would be converted to energy through an anaerobic digester, with a goal of sending zero waste to landfill.

The development includes 16 apartments reserved for essential workers under the Canberra Tradesmen’s Union Club Pilot Obtainable Housing Scheme.

According to the report, participants would benefit from a waiving of agent fees, free conveyancing and loan guarantees backed by the club.

The development would use prefabricated construction methods to reduce environmental impact, and existing timber and bricks would be salvaged for reuse.

▲ A rendering of the proposed Canberra Tradesmen’s Union Club development.

The National Capital Design Review Panel has reviewed the proposal three times and provided support, according to the development outcome report.

The project fits the City Renewal Authority’s plans for Dickson and connects to the territory’s environmental corridor along the creek.

The site is close to light rail, bike paths and job centres, as well as shops, cafes and community spaces.

The Dickson development adds to growing apartment activity across Canberra.

Peet Limited has filed plans for 1629 homes on former University of Canberra land at Bruce, while Geocon recently proposed a 558-apartment “urban village” at Braddon after acquiring the site for $59.4 million.