Green light for Yarralumla Brickworks Precinct and 380 homes

Work on the long-awaited Canberra Brickworks redevelopment in Yarralumla is expected to get underway in 2025 after the approval of Doma Group’s Estate Development Plan.

Doma was selected in 2019 as the successful tenderer for its proposed design to renew Canberra’s unique industrial heritage sites, including the Yarralumla Brickworks and its Quarry and Railway Remnants.

The new precinct will feature about 380 homes, including stand-alone houses, terraces and apartments across the 16-hectare site, as well as public amenities such as retail, restaurants and cafes, offices, health and wellbeing facilities and a gym.

Building heights for the low to medium-density development will be up to three storeys.

Most of the existing structures will be retained and repurposed for commercial and retail space, preserving the site’s industrial history.

The Suburban Land Agency said the EDP approval follows comprehensive public consultation and review, ensuring it respects the historic nature of the site and meets community expectations.

It said settlement would now take place between the ACT Government and Doma.

Acting SLA CEO Fiona Wright said urban renewal was the key to making Canberra a more compact, liveable and sustainable city.

“The Canberra Brickworks Precinct demonstrates how urban renewal can unlock the distinct history and character of a place whilst increasing housing supply to meet the city’s growing needs in years to come,” she said

Doma managing director Jure Domazet said the company was thrilled to have reached this significant milestone.

“This approval is a critical step, and we are now eagerly awaiting further approvals for the Heritage Core, which includes the iconic kilns and associated buildings,” he said.

“These areas will house a mix of restaurants, bars, bakery, gym, day spa and skin clinic and commercial offices, offering a unique blend of heritage and modern amenities.

“In addition to the Heritage Core, DOMA is also awaiting approvals for the first apartment block and first townhouse development.

“Additional DAs will be lodged shortly that will introduce the first single houses along Bentham Street. Design work for the first separate title townhouse blocks and the houses along
Denman Street is also set to commence soon.”

Mr Domazet said construction on the Brickworks project, covering civil infrastructure work, the heritage buildings, park, and the first housing and townhouse blocks, was slated to begin in 2025.

Marketing was expected to kick off as well next year, although Doma has already begun recording expressions of interest from prospective buyers.”

The EDP includes the creation of 40 single-dwelling blocks, eight multi-unit residential blocks, one central commercial block in the heritage core, and five open space blocks proposed to be contained within a future community title scheme, as well as roads and shared paths.

The project will also include two big parks – the Quarry Parklands and a smaller one called The Remnants – and a lake that will be open to the public.

A 300-car public underground car park is proposed opposite the front of the commercial centre.

The approval comes with a raft of conditions, including for the heritage aspects.

The Notice of Decision says the proposed EDP will provide for a range of future development opportunities, open space and leisure activities, and set out and preserve the relevant heritage elements of the site.

It says the layout provides a logical and functional arrangement, including for existing and future developments.

“On balance, the development addresses assessment issues, in particular, heritage, dealing with the site constraints and its interactions with its surrounds in a suitable manner,” it says.

“A number of entity issues were raised during the assessment; however, the development is considered capable of approval with conditions to address entity requirements.”

The key issues raised included the provision of the heritage core, suitable pedestrian connections, adequate tree canopy coverage and landscaping, provision of high-quality urban open space and adequate road and utility infrastructure.