The main entrance to the proposed development. The land can accommodate 5000 sqm of retail and commercial space. Images: COX Architecture.
The owners of Kippax Fair have won their long fight for a direct sale of government land to move ahead with their plans for a massive expansion of the West Belconnen shopping centre.
The ACT Government says the Christodoulou family will be able to negotiate exclusively for a direct sale of 2 ha of adjacent land (Block 71, Section 51 Holt) that had been earmarked for development.
The family had pushed for a direct sale back in 2021 but the government insisted on going to market with a two-stage expression of interest process to find a developer to expand the shopping centre.
Last month, the family submitted its expansion proposal to the government and again pressed for a direct sale but the government said it remained committed to a competitive process for the land and Stage 2 dates for its sale and development were still to be finalised.
Now, it has decided that a direct sale is the way to go.
The Christodoulou family proposed to triple the amount of retail space, including two new full-line supermarkets, speciality shops, and food and dining options.
The development would also include a community hub, parks, a residential component of 300 apartments and underground parking.
Planning Minister Chris Steel said there was more work to finalise a sale, but this was a positive milestone.
“We’re closer to achieving the vision that was first laid out in the Kippax Group Centre Master Plan, and is currently captured in the Belconnen District Strategy,” he said.
A view of the proposed development showing the apartments.
Kippax Fair owner Philip Christodoulou said the family was very pleased with the government’s decision to enter into exclusive negotiations to achieve a direct sale, which will allow a modern and expanded retail centre to be developed.
“Our concept plans are for a completely new and expanded shopping centre, which will revitalise the Kippax Group Centre,” he said.
The Hardwick Crescent Traders Association also welcomed the announcement, saying it brought certainty and hope for businesses in the ageing centre.
President and owner of Elite Meats Wes Dempsey said the Association had been calling on the government to get on with it since early this year when they announced yet another delay to the land sale process because of contamination.
“The government went through an appropriate expression of interest process and the outcome was nobody else could deliver for businesses, staff and shoppers the way the Kippax Fair proposal does,” he said.
“We are so happy that the owners can now get on with the fine details of planning the new centre and we urge the government to avoid any delays in the planning processes so it can be built as soon as possible.”
Mr Dempsey said that for years businesses and customers had faced an uncertain future being in a centre in decline and public carparking being sold off by the government.
“It has been bleak and we have been in limbo,” he said.
“Now there is hope and we can genuinely plan ahead and invest in our businesses and our community.”
A development application for the redevelopment will need to be approved to finalise the sale.
Proposals for the redevelopment can be viewed on the Kippax Fair Expansion website.
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