Government deal puts Kippax Fair expansion on runway

Growing West Belconnen can look forward to an expanded and redeveloped Kippax Fair shopping centre after the owners clinched a deal with the ACT Government for the direct sale of adjacent land needed for the development.

The deal includes investment in more housing and community infrastructure, as well as expanding the shopping centre.

The Christodoulou family has agreed to a $12 million investment to provide up to 24 new affordable and public housing dwellings, a community space within the retail hub, and a 6000 square metre park, which will include barbeque facilities and a playground.

The broader shopping centre expansion proposes new retail and shopping facilities, including a bigger Woolworths and new Coles supermarket, underground parking and 150 new apartments, half of what the owners had proposed.

The sale agreement also includes a proposed area for a community centre within the shopping centre of which 800sqm will be available for local groups to use. More community consultation will help support the best use of this new facility.

The Kippax Fair redevelopment will be delivered in two stages, starting with an expansion of the east precinct towards Moyes Crescent, which will include ‘shop top’ housing.

The expanded Woolworths, along with a new Coles supermarket, more parking and specialty retail services are expected in this first stage.

On completion, upgrading the existing shopping centre will start. This will include more commercial and retail stores, indoor and outdoor dining opportunities, additional parking and the remaining housing.

This decision and subsequent investment follows an extensive EOI process for the redevelopment of Kippax Fair. The Kippax masterplan and Belconnen District Strategy support the overarching revitalisation of the centre.

This project is still subject to the development application process, which will include further opportunities for consultation with the community on the final design.

Kippax Fair owner Philip Christodoulou said significant work had been undertaken with the government to refine the design and scope of the development to enable a modern and expanded retail centre with significant benefits and amenities being delivered to the West Belconnen community.

“We are excited to get on with finally turning our vision into reality, revitalising the Kippax Group Centre with new and modern full-line supermarkets, speciality shops, food and dining options, under-cover parking, housing options, and parks and public facilities.

“We look forward to sharing the details with the community in the coming months.”

Planning Minister Chris Steel said this was an outstanding result for the West Belconnen community that would provide more housing, expanded services, business opportunities and new infrastructure.

“A redeveloped Kippax Fair will provide more housing where Canberrans want to live while at the same time expanding local services and revitalisation of public areas for the broader community,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry said better access to high-quality shops, services, and public transport would be increasingly important for this growing community.

Ms Berry said the new parklands would transform this precinct into an inviting area for the whole community and, importantly, the deal would deliver 24 new affordable housing options.

“The new Kippax Fair will be seamlessly integrated with surrounding suburbs and I expect this investment to benefit Canberrans in this region for a generation,” she said.

Last December, the government announced that the Christodoulou family would be able to negotiate exclusively for the land needed for the development, a turnaround from its long-held position for a competitive process.