Belconnen town centre release to deliver 400-plus homes

A prime block in the Belconnen town centre has been released for sale, with development potential for more than 400 dwellings.

Marketed as Belconnen Village on Lathlain, it is one of a number of land releases that the Suburban Land Agency says will revitalise the town centre.

The vacant CZ2 zoned 5658 square metre block (Section 23 Block 6) sits on the corner of Lathlain and Cohen Streets opposite Westfield Belconnen Shopping Centre and the Belconnen transit hub.

The zoning allows multi-unit development, offices, hotels, serviced apartments and shops.

The site is guided by a Place Design Brief devised after a public consultation process in which people called for an intimate urban experience, better and walkable connections between precincts, open and green spaces, shared spaces and facilities, and activated street fronts including cafes, restaurants and bars.

A mix of mixed residential, offices and retail, including food and beverage outlets, has been identified for Lathlain Street, where a main street character could be created to complement the hospitality offering on the east side as part of the shopping mall.

This would mean upgrading Lathlain Street into an attractive shared street with low speed limits, according to the Place Design Brief.

It says Section 23 could also include community use such as a library or indoor sports facility on the ground floor.

“Lathlain Street will require a significant amount of design consideration and intervention to create and activate an attractive 250 m stretch of street frontage,” it says.

With a building height limit ranging from eight to 18 storeys, the site has a development capacity of 436 dwellings, of which 55 must be affordable and seven community housing.

“This site is a significant parcel of land, presenting the opportunity to create a mixed-use precinct in a premium, central location,” the sales brochure says.

It is within walking distance of Lake Ginninderra and lakeshore parkland, near the University of Canberra and major hospitals, and part of a government and education employment hub.

The SLA is also looking for a buyer that will prioritise sustainability, including a 5 Green Star rating with EV charging infrastructure and encouraging active travel through end-of-trip facilities.

Plans for the precinct include a park to be built next door.

The SLA is selling the block by auction on 23 August at the Vibe Hotel, Canberra Airport. CBRE is marketing the sale.

This release follows the Belconnen Lakeshore release last year which was a two-stage expression of interest process.

The SLA said it had completed the second stage and evaluated submitted tenders, and would be able to announce the successful tenderer at the end of performance negotiations.

The successful tenderer would continue talks on the development design for these sites based on the Place Design Brief prepared with the community in 2021.

Construction was expected to start in 2025.

The SLA said that although the Belconnen Village on Lathlain site would go to auction, the building design requirements identified in the Place Design Brief would still need to be met by the future developer.

“Ongoing community engagement, design development, affordable housing, community housing and delivery of sustainability requirements by the future developer will be managed through a project delivery agreement between the developer and SLA,” an SLA spokesperson said.