The Lathlain Street Precinct is located in the heart of Belconnen between Luxton Street and Cohen Street. Building on the 2021 Belconnen Town Centre Place Design Brief, we are preparing for the area to 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.
We want to further understand what local community and visitors would value in the future Lathlain Street Precinct.
Let’s explore:
Your views will help shape the design of the site.
We encourage you to participate in our upcoming engagement sessions.
Come and talk to us at one of our consultation sessions for community members and stakeholders;
More community pop-up events, workshops, and engagement activities about the Lathlain Street Precinct will be held in early 2025. Please check back in December for more details, or follow this page.
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
Source: Land Release Sites Belconnen
Town Centre Place Design Brief, 10 June 2021, pg.23, 2021
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.
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.
From late 2024 to mid-2025, we will be carrying out the first stage of
community consultation to develop a people-first design for the space.
Following construction, the space is expected to be ready by late 2028/29.
2.
Will parking be affected by construction?
No car parking is located on the sites identified for the new public
space. During the planned construction phase from 2027 to 2029, street
parking will be temporarily impacted. We will work with TCCS to provide maps of
nearby, available parking and up to date information on public transport to
nearby businesses. The new public space once completed will provide improved
access to a range of nearby transport options. It includes street parking and
public parking in the basement of Belconnen Village on Walder and Belconnen
Village on Lathlain. 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 and future communities. 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 travel options. Communities and businesses will also be informed by
SLA and TCCS of road closures and alternative travel options during
construction as required. Once completed in 2029, 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 open space. Design of the
open space will build on and further explore community’s aspirations for the
site articulated in the 20221 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 that thrive in part-shade will
be considered as will the potential views of the open space from above as
occupants of buildings will look down onto the space.
What you tell us will inform and help shape development of the future Lathlain Street Precinct, guiding the project team through the design development process as they prepare the Subdivision Design Application (SDA).
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
