Close ties to nature and community set to define life at Jacka

Settled among rolling hills in the ACT’s northernmost reaches sits a quiet little neighbourhood surrounded by open spaces.

You’ve probably driven past Jacka on your way through Gungahlin. Flanked by Bonner and Taylor, it’s a small-scale suburb that will one day (soon) house about 1800 people.

Sure, things still look a little bare from the highway. But despite its relative youth, Jacka has already made a mark on local history as the capital’s second ever all-electric suburb.

Jacka’s first residents moved into their new homes earlier this year.

The suburb has come a long way since then, with open-air playgrounds, walking tracks and thoughtful landscapes painting quite the pretty picture.

Suburban Land Agency CEO Adam Davey joined the SLA last year, recently working in the not-for-profit sector.

Born in Canberra, Adam has lived in the capital for most of his life – north and south of the lake. Currently living nearby, in Forde, he says Jacka is a next step for our capital that just makes sense.

“Jacka is a boutique suburb designed to embrace diversity, innovation, sustainability and close community ties,” Adam says.

“It’s a village-style setting with contemporary amenities and easy connectivity to nearby town centres.

“You’re only five kilometres from central Gungahlin and less than 20 from the inner city, but being in Jacka doesn’t feel restrictive. The neighbourhood has loads of natural spaces, generous block sizes, and a real sense of life and character.”

To cater for a range of budgets and lifestyles, Jacka will feature a mix of single residential homes, public housing, townhouses and apartments. Residential blocks range from 340 to 652 square metres, starting at $484,500.

Most homes will be built close to the future local centre, which will become a one-stop-shop for public spaces, retail, commercial and residential opportunities.

Every facet of Jacka’s master plan carefully considers its natural environment – championed by the tagline “It’s in our nature”.

The suburb takes advantage of the existing landscape rather than trying to tame it, using the site’s natural topography to create gently undulating streets and preserve views.

“There’s a stunning outlook in every direction. I love looking out to Black Mountain whenever I visit,” Adam says.

“We’ve taken great care to protect mature trees and biodiversity, planting native species that will ensure a tree canopy for 30 per cent of the area.

“Combined with vibrant ponds and wetlands, they will maximise water flow, reduce thermal mass and blend Jacka’s outskirts with surrounding hills.”

Jacka will eventually host almost 700 all-electric homes, half being single residential. Every landowner is encouraged to live sustainably by SLA’s rebates for energy-efficient homes ($7000) and climate-wise landscaping ($6000 to $7000).

The team also encourages residents to take advantage of the ACT Government’s Plant Issue Scheme for new landowners, which entitles them to $220 worth of appropriate plants per block.

The SLA’s dedicated Mingle team is already out and about in Jacka, running programs designed to develop a strong, connected community. It has already shown great success over in Molonglo Valley, at Whitlam.

“Mingle will work in Jacka for the next few years to lay the groundwork for local associations, social networks, projects and events,” Adam says.

“We’ve already had feedback from people who have met at Mingle events and realised they’re going to be neighbours.

“Moments like these forge long-lasting relationships that will continue to shape Jacka for years to come. I’m beyond excited to see where we go from here.”

Adam recommends anyone considering a life at Jacka visits the SLA Display Village in Whitlam. Here, you can tour four sustainable development display homes, each designed for multi-generational living and featuring a climate-wise garden.

For more information, visit Suburban Land Agency: Jacka.

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