Project status: closed

About the project

The Lathlain Street Precinct is located in the heart of Belconnen between Luxton Street and Cohen Street. It will become a lively town centre precinct with safe and active streets for people, complete with a central public park that celebrates the community’s diversity. The Precinct will provide homes, shops, dining and improved active travel provisions to better connect the local community and enhance Belconnen Town Centre West.

How you had YourSay

Between 25 November 2024 and 6 April 2025, Suburban Land Agency (SLA) sought input from community and stakeholders to help shape the redevelopment of the future Lathlain Street Precinct public spaces. Building on the community aspirations documented in the 2021 Belconnen Town Centre Place Design Brief, this engagement refined what the community would value most in the public spaces and sought feedback on their look and feel.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during this time.

A Listening Report has now been released summarising the key feedback received during the engagement period, including what we heard in the December 2024 workshops. We heard positive support for redevelopment of the area and plans for the public spaces. Key feedback themes were safety, landscaping, active travel and recreational opportunities.

Previous engagement

This Lathlain Street Precinct consultation builds on previous community engagements undertaken for Land Release Sites in the Belconnen Town Centre, and which were documented in the Land Release Sites Belconnen Town Centre Place Design Brief (PDB). This was developed in 2021 to help understand the community’s views and values. Through this next phase of community engagement, we seek to understand your thoughts on the landscape design and inclusions, as well as how you will use and experience the area to ensure the Lathlain Street Precinct reflects the values and aspirations that have been heard.

This project will use the PDB as a foundation to gather more detailed insights on how to deliver the vision for the Lathlain Street Precinct. The goal is to create walkable connections, unique local identity with beautiful spaces, enhance walkability, intimate green areas, and ample opportunities for connection and respite. The community will benefit from a new urban park, upgraded verges, and improved connections between key locations, such as the bus interchanges, Westfield Shopping Centre, and the new commercial, retail, residential, and hospitality precinct.

Community Place Aspiration Plan: Lathlain Street Precinct

This image is an excerpt from the Belconnen Town Centre Place Design Brief released in 2021. Specifically it shows the community aspirations shared for the Lathlain Street Precinct which was to be family friendly and lively. Aspirations were for a slow tr

Engagement for Belconnen Town Centre Land Release Sites completed in 2021 included specific engagement with Ngunnawal Traditional Owners and stakeholders to understand the unique social, spiritual, and historical connection to place. This resulted in the following Statement of Cultural Significance for Belconnen Town Centre Land Release Sites being prepared to inform future development.

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as Canberra’s first inhabitants and traditional custodians of the ACT and Region. We recognise the special relationship and connection to country that the Ngunnawal people have with this area since time immemorial. Ngunnawal were a thriving community whose cultural practices were and still are core to their physical, social and spiritual wellbeing encompassing all aspects of their livelihoods, cultural practices and families. The Ngunnawal Nation includes seven clans which bear resemblance to some of the place names across the ACT and region. These place names reflect some of the clan groups of the Ngunnawal Nation. For example clans such as Maloongoola known as Molonglo, the Biyaligee known as Pialligo, the Namitch or Namwitch known as Namadgi, Cumbeyan known as Queanbeyan, the Toogoranoongh known as Tuggeranong. There is also the clans Woolobaloah and the Ganberra that lived in the Belconnen area. Kanberri in location was central to the seven clans and the word Canberra comes from the word Kanberri, meaning meeting place. There are many significant cultural sites around the ACT. These include Kanberri/Belconnen in close proximity to Ginninderra Creek which holds significant cultural relevance in social, spiritual, and historical contexts for the Ngunnawal people. It is recognised in this place through their knowledge, Song Lines, Ceremonial Areas, Corroborees, Women’s Business, the Wedgetail Eagle and pathways that connect community. This statement has been prepared by MurriMatters in consultation with Ngunnawal representatives in February 2021. The artwork shown is by LEILANI KEEN-CHURCH.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


1. When will the new public space be ready?
There are several stages to complete before we have a new public space that is welcoming, safe and accessible. This includes community consultation to develop a people first design for the space, planning and environment approvals and a more detailed design phase which also incorporates construction procurement. It is anticipated the construction phase will take place between 2027 and 2029. Updates will continue to be provided on SLA’s project page.


2. Will parking be affected by construction?
There is no existing car parking located on the sites identified for the development of the park and the future site for release. During the planned construction phase from 2027 to 2029, street parking within the precinct will be impacted. We will provide maps of nearby, available parking and up to date information on public transport to nearby businesses. The new public space and upgrades to Rae Street and Lathlain Street, once completed will provide improved access to a range of nearby transport options. The proposed works will include new street parking bays within landscaped verges and public parking via the basements of the future development sites. The number of public carparking spots are determined by the statutory authority for planning.


3. Will access to Lathlain Street be closed during construction?
Construction is expected to start in 2027 and we will work with community, businesses and land developers on ensuring the precinct continues to support the needs of existing community. The existing pedestrian access path though the site (next to the closed underpass) will remain open until construction starts. During construction, there will be temporary closures and nearby communities and businesses will be kept informed with alternative access options. Communities and businesses will also be informed of road closures and alternative travel options during construction as required. Once completed, pedestrians will experience improved movement across Lathlain Street and through the precinct.


4. What impact will the surrounding development building heights have on the open space?
The Territory Plan controls height limits to surrounding buildings. There will be due consideration in developing future Section 21 and Sections 22 & 23 (designs currently underway) as an interface with the future urban park. Design of the open space/ park will build on and further explore community’s aspirations for the site articulated in the 2021 Place Design Brief. These include aspirations such as a central lawn for events, urban play space, green streets, alfresco dining areas and connected pathways. Plantings will be carefully specified to suit the future environmental conditions (including the consideration of shade from surrounding buildings). There will also be the opportunity for the design to respond to future views from above as occupants of buildings will look down onto the space.

The impact of having your say

What you told us will inform and help shape development of the future Lathlain Street Precinct, guiding the project team through the design development process.