10 June 2022

Molonglo prepares to start next phase of Dairy Road development

| Ian Bushnell
Join the conversation
5
Dairy Road

The entrance to Dairy Road. Molonglo will take a decade to transform the site. Photo: Anthony Basheer.

Molonglo’s Dairy Road precinct could be home to 2000 residents under plans unveiled this week for the next development phase, which is expected to take a decade to complete.

The release of its proposed Estate Development Plan (EDP) or public consultation comes ahead of a development application.

Last year the ACT Government re-zoned Dairy Road to allow more than just industrial use and NCA approved a Development Control Plan that set maximum building heights at 32 m.

Molonglo is also working on a master plan for the 12.4 ha mixed-use site that will include workspaces, food and drink, retail, health and wellbeing, living, recreation, light industry, community services, art, culture and entertainment.

The property developer’s ambitious vision for Dairy Road, at present home to an eclectic mix of businesses, is for an environmentally sustainable and integrated precinct where people can live, work and play.

READ ALSO Zapari’s Molonglo Falls turning heads as it reaches milestone

The EDP includes consolidating and subdividing blocks 11 and 12 to create about 25 new blocks, public roads, parking and shared paths including external lighting and landscaping, new open space and public areas, reconstruction of internal utilities and services infrastructure and earthworks.

Molonglo envisages medium density housing in the southwest corner of the site and expects the first residents to move in by the end of 2025.

“Layouts will be specific, designed to appeal to a mix of resident types,” the Plan says.

“Design will be guided by holistic environmental considerations overriding preconceptions of how a dwelling should look and feel.”

Buildings near the Jerrabomberra Wetlands will be up to four storeys and those on the remainder of the site will be up to eight storeys.

Dairy Road estate development plan map

An indicative diagram of the Dairy Road Estate Development Plan. Image: Molonglo.

Molonglo proposes more transport connections, improved roads and traffic management and a regenerative landscape approach to the development.

These include a new bus stop on Dairy Road connecting to the existing Fyshwick 56 bus route, new shared active travel paths along Dairy Road connecting to the Jerrabomberra Wetlands and the Lake Burley Griffin Loop, and from Dairy Road to Mildura Street connecting to Fyshwick Markets and Canberra Avenue Rapid Bus Network R2.

Also proposed are a new roundabout and road improvements on Dairy Road, new planting on the median and improvements to the on/off ramps to Monaro Highway.

Molonglo plans to put most car parking below ground to minimise vehicles moving through the site.

READ ALSO Molonglo Movers make sports and rec accessible for every child

Molonglo says a landscape plan will be developed in collaboration with Sydney-based Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture and London-based design practice Assemble, and it is committed to protecting the adjacent Jerrabomberra Wetlands.

It intends to retain ownership of and provide ongoing care and maintenance to the open spaces and most public areas.

“Our EDP will allow us to realise the full spectrum of uses at Dairy Road and grow the community at the site,” Molonglo says.

“Without the EDP approval, we are unable to offer new leases to tenants that align with the vision such as restaurants, a corner store, cultural venues, community services and accommodation.

“Once completed, our EDP will provide the underlying urban structure for the neighbourhood at Dairy Road; from internal road networks, footpaths and cycleways to open space, infrastructure and carparks.

“Molonglo also wants to buy an area of land immediately south of the Dairy Road site that will be used to provide further amenities such as a dog park for the Dairy Road community.

It intends to retain the warehouse buildings as the industrial heart of the site but where site changes require demolition or refurbishment of a building, Molonglo says it will work with existing tenants on finding new premises.

Molonglo expects to start early works by the end of the year, with construction of the first new building commencing in 2024 and all buildings completed by the early 2030s.

It will hold a second online presentation next week on 15 June. RSVP to future@molonglo.com to receive a link to view the presentation.

Join the conversation

5
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t Molonglo between Black Mountain and Stromlo?

Based on the experiences of past urban development and the performances of town planning in Canberra and its associated satellites, I do not hold much hope for the long term integrity of the Jerrabomberra Nature Reserve and associated wetlands.
Those of us who have lived in Canberra for any length of time prior to self governement, stand witness to the systematic deterioration of the natural environment. Sadly, the proposed development of Dairy Flat Road, while providing revenue to the ACT Governemnt, will be another example of converting wildlife habitat to concrete. When will we learn?

Would you prefer the site to remain industrial?

It’s not like it’s currently a wildlife or habitat area, the changes should improve the habitat areas rather than remove them.

Right next to fyshwick sewer plant… lovely

thatsnotmyname1:56 pm 11 Jun 22

Keen to see their residential offerings. Hopefully something very different to what’s currently on the market.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.