Thousand Homes Planned for ACT’s Greenfield Gateway

A 21ha slice of Canberra’s northern gateway could transform into a community hub, with a masterplan unveiled for 1000 homes and retail precinct on Block 800 Gungahlin, about 10km north of the capital’s City Hill.

Plans to rezone about 209,571sq m of land north of the Federal Highway for residential and commercial use have now been filed.

The proposal, prepared by Purdon on behalf of the site’s lessee, CF Group, seeks to amend the Territory Plan and National Capital Plan to transform the broadacre-zoned land into a residential precinct with an integrated commercial hub.

Block 800 at Gungahlin was earmarked for significant development in the Draft District Strategy for Gungahlin 2022, which outlined the aspirations and potential opportunities for the Gungahlin district in Canberra as the population and city evolved.

The site, the home of Arnold Grove, a residence designed by esteemed Australian architect Professor Wilkinson, is subject to special requirements by the National Capital Authority.

​The area is also noted for its native grassland to the west and potential threatened woodland to the east.

The Draft District Strategy for Gungahlin identified a need for 5900 homes in the district by 2063.

The proposed amendment seeks to change the current zoning to appropriate Residential Zones, Mixed-Use Commercial Zones, and Parks and Recreation Zones.

According to the Purdon proposal, “mixed-use commercial and medium-density residential development would be the most suitable use for the site, offering the best outcome for the area while being compatible with adjacent land uses, given the existing local development and the increasing demand for housing to accommodate Canberra’s growing population”.

▲ The proposal will require a Major Plan Amendment for the Territory and a National Capital Plan amendment for the Commonwealth.

Purdon’s proposal acknowledges that while the zoning change may enable the potential development of the site, any building proposals would still require separate Development Application approval through the Territory Planning Authority.

The development concept includes two and three-level townhouses fronting the Federal Highway, with four to six-storey apartment blocks positioned towards the rear of the site.

The commercial precinct aims to service residents of north Watson, EPIC, the future suburb of Kenny, and neighbouring NSW communities.

The rezoning process requires extensive governmental review, including assessment by ACT Government agencies, public consultation, and approval from the Minister for Planning.

The National Capital Authority will evaluate the proposal’s impact on the Federal Highway approach route, landscape character, and integration with surrounding areas.

The proposed mix of townhouses and ‘missing middle’ apartments aimed to attract a diverse demographic from singles to retirees, the documents said.

The masterplan, which includes a commercial hub in the northern sector, could house more than 2000 residents pending final approvals—significantly boosting Gungahlin’s housing stock.

Canberra-based developer Core Developments wants to build a six-story, 126-apartment multi-unit residential project in Gungahlin that, according to CoreLogic, is one of the capital’s most lucrative property hotspots.