This project is open for feedback

About the project

The ACT Government is investing $53.4 million to expand and modernise Telopea Park School's Senior Campus to meet growing enrolment demand and deliver contemporary learning environments for students in Canberra's inner south.

To enable the Telopea Park School expansion onto the Telopea Park Playing Fields site, a Major Plan Amendment (MPA) is required to allow the land to be used for educational purposes.

A draft MPA proposing to rezone the site from Restricted Access Recreation Zone (PRZ2) to Community Facilities Zone (CFZ) was released for public consultation in February 2026.

Subject to the outcome of the MPA, the next stage of the project is the preparation of a Development Application (DA) for the proposed expansion and modernisation of Telopea Park School.

As part of this pre-planning process, we are seeking feedback from the school community, local residents, businesses and other interested stakeholders to help inform the Development Application before it is lodged.

Following the lodgement of the Development Application, the community will also have an opportunity to review the application and make a formal submission once it is made available for public comment through the ACT Planning Authority's statutory consultation process.

Established in 1923, Telopea Park School is Canberra's oldest operating school. As enrolments continue to grow across the inner south, the ACT Government is planning to expand the Senior Campus to provide additional capacity and modern facilities that support contemporary teaching and learning.

The project will increase the school's permanent capacity by 150 student places and deliver new facilities that will benefit students, staff and the wider community.

The proposed expansion includes:

  • modern and flexible specialist learning environments
  • science laboratories, preparation areas and specialist teaching spaces
  • performing arts and music facilities
  • collaborative learning and breakout spaces
  • a new multipurpose hall and double gymnasium
  • upgraded outdoor learning and recreation areas
  • 81 additional car parking spaces
  • new landscaping, trees and gardens
  • improved pedestrian access and safety measures
  • all-electric buildings designed to support the ACT Government's zero emissions targets.

Previous traffic and parking consultation undertaken in 2025 helped inform planning for the proposed expansion. A summary of that engagement is available on the YourSay project page. Feedback received through that process has been considered in the development of the concept proposal and will continue to inform planning for the project.

How to have your say

We invite you to review the proposed expansion and modernisation of Telopea Park School and provide feedback on any opportunities, concerns, local considerations or potential impacts that should be taken into account as planning for the project progresses.

Your feedback will help:

  • inform the Development Application before it is lodged
  • identify local considerations and potential impacts
  • ensure community perspectives are considered as planning and design work progresses.

Community members will have the opportunity to review the detailed proposal and make a formal submission once the Development Application is available for public comment through the ACT Planning Authority.

  • Make a comment online

    What planning and design considerations do you think should be included in the Development Application lodgement (DA)?

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How you've had YourSay so far

How you’ve had YourSay so far

The ACT Government is committed to keeping the community informed and providing opportunities for feedback throughout the planning and design process.

Community engagement on the proposed expansion and modernisation of Telopea Park School began in 2023, focusing on traffic, parking and pedestrian access around the school. Feedback from local residents, families, staff and the broader school community helped inform early design considerations, particularly improvements to parking provision, pedestrian connections and student safety.

During consultation, community members highlighted several key priorities:

  • improving traffic flow, parking availability and pedestrian safety around the school
  • maintaining safe and accessible connections between the school and surrounding neighbourhood
  • protecting local amenity for nearby residents
  • retaining access to open space and recreation opportunities
  • ensuring the project responds to future enrolment growth while supporting students, staff and the wider community.

You can find a summary of the feedback received by the ACT Government in the What We Heard Report.

Public consultation on the draft Major Plan Amendment for the Telopea Park Playing Fields was undertaken from 13 February to 30 March 2026. The majority of submissions received during this consultation supported the proposed rezoning to enable the expansion and modernisation of Telopea Park School. Community feedback highlighted the importance of balancing the need for improved school facilities with protecting local amenity and ensuring the site continues to contribute positively to the surrounding neighbourhood.

The main issues raised related to:

  • retention of open space and recreational opportunities
  • traffic, parking and pedestrian safety
  • impacts on nearby residents, including privacy and sunlight
  • maintaining the character and amenity of the local area.

The Major Plan Amendment required to support the proposed Telopea Park School expansion has completed public consultation and has been recommended to the Minister for Planning for consideration.

You can find a summary of the feedback on the draft Major Plan Amendment in the Consultation Report.