The Woden Precinct encompasses the commercial, recreational and residential heart of the Woden district. Known for its shopping, dining, community facilities and transport connectivity the Woden town centre is a hive of activity that attracts Canberrans from surrounding areas.

The new CIT Woden campus and residential developments are enabling growth in the area as it experiences a period of urban renewal. A new Woden Public Transport Interchange is set to improve active and public transport connections and support the future integration of light rail.

The existing landscape within the Woden Precinct includes a small area of green spaces along Yarralumla Creek with limited tree planting. Opportunities to enhance tree planting along the proposed light rail alignment would strengthen the natural environment and the connection with the built form around it.

Some key considerations for design of light rail in the Woden Precinct include how the project would:

• Navigate the constrained Yarralumla Creek environment, near Phillip Oval.
• Strengthen the natural environment along the light rail alignment and protect the local habitat.
• Safely and effectively integrate into the existing active travel connections considering expected population growth in the area.

To respond to these considerations, the concept design and Environmental Impact Statement will explore the following design features and implications:

Connecting people to places

A Phillip Oval stop that improves east-west connections across the Woden Precinct and supports increased sport and community use of the facility.

Proposed stops that improve opportunities for walkability and active travel, and allow for increased patronage from surrounding suburbs.

A design that considers upgrades and improvements to local roads, intersections, cycleways and footpaths to provide access to stops and improve connections across the Precinct. This includes reconfiguration of the Yarra Glen roundabout at Melrose Drive and Yamba Drive.

Sense of place

Seamless integration of light rail into the new public transport interchange and the existing bus network. This would connect the surrounding suburbs to the light rail alignment.

Public art opportunities that celebrate the big vision and bold design ambition embedded in Woden town centre.

Opportunities to complement planned and potential future developments in the Woden Precinct and better activate the area.

Economy & technology

Paths, retaining walls and bridges that consider and respond to the Yarralumla Creek environment, including possible flooding scenarios.

Natural systems

Opportunities to enhance the habitat along Yarralumla Creek and connections between the creek and nearby green space.