Introducing district strategies

District strategies are a new level of strategic planning that we are introducing to the planning system. District strategies capture and protect the valued character and attributes of each of Canberra's nine districts.

The district strategies deliver the ACT Planning Strategy by providing more specific and targeted directions for each district. In short, they will guide the strategic management of growth and change on a district scale in the context of green and blue spaces, good travel connections, housing, employment growth and support our shopping centres.

During the consultation on the draft district strategies and draft Territory Plan, the community had the opportunity to ask questions to our planners. You can find these on the Ask a Question page.

You can also view the range of consultation activities we undertook with the community during February on the Engagement schedule page.

You can now take a high-level look at what we heard during consultation in the Listening Report. A more detailed look and the government's response is found in the consultation report.

What we looked at

The Belconnen District Strategy captures the special character of Belconnen and reflects the community's views on future planning priorities. It will help us manage growth and change in Belconnen while protecting the things the community values most.

Directions for Belconnen

Blue-green network

• Protect and enhance environmental and cultural values through priority connections including Ginninderra Creek riparian corridor, Halls Creek, Gooromon Ponds and key grassland and woodland habitat corridors.
• Extend the blue-green network including in Macgregor, Charnwood, Lawson and Kaleen.

Economic access and opportunity across the city

• Strengthen the economic and employment role of the Belconnen town centre and Kippax group centre.
• Develop an integrated Belconnen Education and Sports Innovation Precinct, building on quality institutions such as Calvary and UC hospitals and the AIS.

Strategic movement to support city growth

• Connect Belconnen town centre into the light rail network.
• Enhance accessibility and reduce travel times by public transport to jobs and services for residents in north and west Belconnen.

Sustainable neighbourhoods

• Develop Belconnen town centre as a commercial and mixed-use hub integrated with development in surrounding suburbs.
• Catalyse sustainable urban development based on the rapid corridors and future light rail.
• Develop Ginninderry as an exemplar 21st century suburb based on sustainable neighbourhood objectives.

Inclusive centres and communities

• Consider the role and function of existing group and local centres, including in north and west Belconnen with a focus
• on local enterprise and community life, and undertake investigation in these and other centres to support community development.