Since the release of the Kippax Group Centre Master Plan in 2019, the ACT Government has been working to prepare land for sale in and near the group centre. This includes the preparation, engagement and approval of land use changes in the Holt Precinct Map and Code in line with the master plan and the completion of site investigations.

Commercial land in the ACT is sold through a competitive process unless it is found to meet certain criteria. The Government is adopting this approach in Holt to ensure a fair and transparent process and achieve the best outcome for the broader community.

The ACT Government is finalising a two-stage competitive sales process. Stage 1 was an Expression of Interest (EOI) that tested the market for interest in providing more retail and mixed-use development opportunities in the Kippax Group Centre. The outcomes of the EOI did not bind the respondent or the Territory to the sale of the land.

Upon completion of site investigations, the ACT Government will proceed to a Stage 2 competitive bids process for the sale and development of the land.

Once the competitive sales process is complete, the community can have their say on the detail of the future development through the development application process.

In the interests of ensuring a fair and transparent process, and to seek maximum benefit for the community, the development opportunity was offered through a competitive two-stage sales process.

The first stage used an EOI process looking at proponents’ interest and ability to deliver the development. This first stage was completed in 2021.

The second stage for the sale and development of this land will be a competitive sales process, with dates for this stage to be finalised.

Following the sale of the site, a successful purchaser can begin the development approval process, including pre-Development Application (DA) community engagement and lodgement of a DA. Once the approval processes are complete, the developer can progress with the construction phase.

The Kippax Group Centre Master Plan was finalised in early 2019 following four years of community engagement. Later in 2019, the ACT Government undertook a draft variation to the Territory Plan 361 (DV361), and amendments to the Holt Precinct Map and Code, which allowed for land use changes to provide for the future expansion of the group centre, as well as capital works and offsite works to support future development. DV361 was released for public comment and was finalised in September 2020 in the Holt Precinct Map and Code.

Since then, the ACT Government has been finalising the necessary site investigations to further understand the feasibility and constraints on development before the land can be released to the market.

Part of the existing playing fields will be sold to expand Kippax Group Centre’s shopping precinct, as outlined in the master plan and the Holt Precinct Map and Code.

The ACT Government is carrying out a pavilion upgrades inclusive of ‘female friendly’ improvements on an area of open space on the corner of Moyes Crescent and Starke Street adjoining the Holt District Playing Fields. In addition, the open space in the south-eastern corner of the precinct is being reactivated as sportsgrounds for future competition, training and match play.

ACT Government has also invested $1.85 million in the nearby Higgins oval to improve sporting facilities in West Belconnen. The upgrade allowed for two combination playing fields, new sportsground pavilion, new cricket wicket, new irrigation, topsoil and turf and lighting for after-hours training at Higgins oval.

The Holt Precinct Map and Code generally retained the existing two-storey height limit in the group centre, while introducing three and six-storey height limits in select locations. This will help promote redevelopment, growth, diversification and activity within the centre, consistent with the master plan recommendations.

The variation also provides for key active frontages, awnings, solar access, setbacks, floor to ceiling heights, quality materials and finishes, privacy, microclimate control and the retention and upgrade of community facilities.

It allows for better access, circulation and movement in and out of the group centre via a new road and a separate pedestrian corridor connecting Moyes Crescent to Hardwick Crescent east.

The community will be able to have their say on any future developments through development application processes.

While preparing the Kippax Group Centre Master Plan and subsequent updated Holt Precinct Map and Code, information was used from the flood study undertaken in 2015. This study was sufficient for the purposes of rezoning the land and showed that flooding and drainage issues could be managed in the area. A further study was undertaken in 2020 for the Kippax Group Centre and surrounding area. You can find the latest flood study on the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate website.

Stormwater management measures identified in the 2020 study are considered moderate and do not represent a high risk to residents, business owners or the community at large. The flood study proposed works to address flooding in and around the Kippax Group Centre, most of which is on public land (parkland and road reservations).

These works are being prioritised with other works across the Territory.

Understanding the management of stormwater will be important in the design of any proposed works in the public realm and as part of off-site works for a future development in the group centre.

The future developer of Section 51 Holt will be responsible for further detailed site-specific stormwater assessments, design and infrastructure.

Standing Committees inquire into subjects where there is a lot of community concern about a particular issue or when community views are sought on a particular subject. When investigating an inquiry, the Standing Committee will hear from individuals, experts in the field, representatives of groups and organisations, as well as government departments.

Under Legislative Assembly Standing Order 99A, petitions with at least 500 signatories must be referred to the relevant Assembly Standing Committee for consideration. Subsequently, Petition No. 8-21 on Kippax was referred to the Standing Committee on Planning, Transport and City Services. However, the Standing Committee resolved not to undertake an inquiry.

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 adjacent to the Kippax Library (Part Block 5 Section 88 Holt).

In 2023 the community and key stakeholders will have the opportunity to have their say on the future building. Community and stakeholder views will be used to shape the location, design and function of the future facility. The design of any proposed new building will also need to integrate with bus facilities, public space and other buildings. This webpage will be updated with dates and details of the upcoming engagement activities.

The detailed design and construction of the community building and associated infrastructure remain subject to site suitability investigations, future development application(s), community engagement, and ACT Government budget processes.

The demolition of the existing ageing and vacant health building, public toilet block and skate half pipe in Section 51 are required to enable the redevelopment of the site in line with the Kippax Group Centre Master Plan. Once re-developed the site will provide housing, including affordable housing and commercial and job opportunities.

Former health building

The building no longer meets requirements for a health facility due to its location, age, condition and design. On 10 February 2022, the ACT Heritage Council decided that the building did not meet the criteria for heritage significance as defined by s10 of the Heritage Act 2004 (see decision notice NI2022-74). Development Application DA202239918 was subsequently approved on 25 July 2022 for removal of the building. The community will be notified prior to any demolition works proceeding, the timing remains subject to budget and land development processes.

Toilet block and Skate Half Pipe

Following the sale of Block 71 Section 51 Holt, the future developer of will undertake the demolition of the toilet block and skate half pipe. The developer will also be expected to provide publicly available toilets within the redevelopment as per the conditions provided in the demolition development application (DA202239781) of 5 May 2022.

New community facilities

The ACT Government is progressing work for new and improved facilities in the group centre in 2022 to 2023, including:

As outlined in the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement – 10^th Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory, the ACT Government will roll out new local health centres in South Tuggeranong, West Belconnen, North Gungahlin and the Inner South between now and the middle of the decade, offering accessible public health care across Canberra.

In line with the Kippax Group Centre Masterplan and Territory Plan changes, some car parking spaces in Kippax have been removed to facilitate additional commercial and residential uses. Potential future changes to public transport, car parking, cycling and walking infrastructure remain as future opportunities to further improve access to the enhanced services over time, subject to further investigations and budget priorities as demand increases.

Geotechnical and environmental investigations are anticipated to be carried out in Section 88 Holt in early 2023 to inform the design and future construction of the community building. Areas near the playground, bus stop and open space adjacent to the Kippax Library may need to be temporarily fenced off at times to maintain community safety while machinery is on site. Site signage will be used to inform the community prior to works commencing.

Section 51 Holt

Environmental site investigations were carried out over two years from 2020 to 2022 at Section 51 Holt. The purpose of the investigations was to prepare the site for future sale and to ensure that the site was suitable for the permissible land-uses.

The results of the environmental testing showed that volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons (VCH) in groundwater and soil vapour were present on the site and were moving onto the site from offsite sources. The ACT Environment Protection Authority (EPA) was formally notified about the contamination on 17 December 2021 and again on 27 June 2022.

The EPA directed a site audit into the contamination be carried out by an EPA accredited Site Auditor to determine whether the site was suitable for the permissible land-uses. The Site Auditor’s Site Audit Statement was endorsed by the EPA on 8 August 2022, determining that the site was suitable for the permissible land uses, subject to the implementation of a Site Management Plan (SMP).

The SMP requires the land custodians, which is currently the ACT Government, to undertake quarterly monitoring of the contamination, induct government staff and contractors into the requirements of the SMP, and report findings of the monitoring to EPA. The purpose of the SMP is to ensure the land custodians manage the risk to human health for maintenance and construction activities undertaken underground on site.

The SMP also includes requirements to manage the risk of contamination during future phases of construction and occupation. Future custodians of the site will be required to take responsibility for the SMP, either through transferring the SMP or creating a new SMP. A new SMP would be required to be undertaken by a Suitably Qualified Environmental Consultant (SQEC) and approved by the EPA.

Section 88 Holt

Part Block 5, Section 88 Holt is earmarked for a community hub in line with the Kippax Group Centre Master Plan and includes the bus interchange, playground and is adjacent to the Kippax Library.

Environmental site investigations for the site were conducted in 2021 to facilitate the delivery of community amenities. A Detailed Site Investigation report dated 14 June 2022, reports that volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons (VCH) in groundwater and soil vapour were present on the site and were moving onto the site from offsite sources. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) were notified about the contamination on 27 June 2022.

A site audit for contamination and further testing will be conducted in 2023, with the results to inform the design of the community hub and determine the sites suitability for the permissible uses on the site.