This key site identified in the master plan is being prepared for release to facilitate expansion of the commercial group centre, with integrated housing including affordable housing opportunities.

The ACT Government is conducting a two-staged competitive sales process for the site. The first stage was completed as an Expression of Interest (EOI) process in 2021. The purpose of the EOI was to test market interest for retail and mixed-use development opportunities in the Kippax group centre and to seek respondents that were willing to commit to providing meaningful community engagement on their development proposal should they be successful through the second stage.

The second stage of the sales process will commence pending the outcomes of ongoing site investigations. The community will be able to review and comment on future development proposals through future development application processes.

Soil testing will also be conducted on the oval behind Kippax Fair (i.e. Block 71, Section 51) in late June-early July 2023.

The site was sold on 30 June 2022 for a mixed-use development as part of implementing the master plan. The developer will be required to undertake community consultation on the development application.

Concept design

As part of the planning and community engagement outcomes in the Kippax Group Centre Master Plan, an opportunity for a new community building was identified next to the Kippax Library (on Part Block 5, Section 88 Holt).

Community and stakeholder views, along with the outcomes of further planning and site investigations, will be used to shape the final location, design and function of the future building.

The detailed design and construction of the community building is subject to site suitability, a future development application (and community consultation), and ACT Government budget funding.

Community consultation on the future community hub is currently open. Visit the Kippax Community Hub page to find out more and have your say.

Site investigations

Geotechnical and environmental investigations happened in early 2023 in the area between Hardwick Crescent, Kippax Library, Kippax Fair and the bus stop (on part Block 5 Section 88 Holt). The results of these site investigations will guide the design and location of the future community building.

Further investigations for the community hub may be required later in 2023 pending the results of the initial investigations. Site signage will be used to inform the community prior to any further works commencing.

The Hardwick Crescent public space improvements project is underway. For more information, please visit this site: https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/hardwick-crescent-public-space-improvements.

With the future sale and mixed-use redevelopment of Block 71 Section 51 Holt, replacement playing fields are being delivered to reactivate an area of open space on the corner of Moyes Crescent and Starke Street adjoining the Holt District Playing Fields. The location of the reactivated playing fields was identified in the Kippax Group Centre Master Plan in consultation with the community.

Work has commenced to upgrade the playing fields and supporting infrastructure. The project is anticipated to be ready for public use in the first half of 2023, subject to construction processes.

This work builds on the recently completed $1.85m Higgins Oval Upgrades that included new sports fields, irrigation, lighting, turf and a pavilion for local sports clubs and the community.

ACT Government will carry out targeted consultation with a range of user groups (skate, BMX and scooter associations) on the detailed design of the replacement skate facility. Broader community consultation may be undertaken in future stages of the project, pending future budget processes.

While the Kippax Group Centre Master Plan shows an indicative location for the skate park, further work will be conducted to determine the most suitable location.

The design will consider a range of age groups and abilities, safety, integration with surrounding developments, impacts on nearby residents and costs.

The Kippax group centre in Holt is changing to meet the needs of the community. Extensive community engagement from 2014 to 2019 informed the master plan for the Kippax group centre, setting the vision to guide commercial and residential expansion of the centre and public realm upgrades over time.

The master plan and supporting amendments to the Holt Precinct Map and Code respond to the community’s need for better services and public spaces in the centre, and to develop our city in a compact and efficient way, making a more sustainable city for now and into the future. Territory Plan Variation number 361 followed the master plan in 2020 by setting the statutory planning provisions for commercial and residential expansion of the centre and the associated public realm upgrades.

Key recommendations of the master plan included:

• establishing the centre’s role as a future major public transport hub
• providing new opportunities for retail expansion, including mixed-use development across the centre
• encouraging street-based activity, through centre structure and built environment
• creating a community hub for the centre, by co-locating community facilities with the existing Kippax Library
• creating meeting places, where people can linger and socialise
• improving pedestrian and cycling connections to and within the centre, to encourage active travel
• managing car parking within the centre, to provide for economic efficiencies and improved access through the car park areas, and
• promoting ecological enhancements, such as additional large tree plantings and integrated water cycle management for public spaces.

For more information on the background including the community consultation outcomes of the master plan, please visit the Environment Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate’s website.