Northern suburb Jacka a step closer to welcoming Canberrans home

Jacka will eventually be home to about 1800 Canberrans. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.

With the release of the latest stage of the north Canberra suburb, Jacka, work can finally begin on hundreds of new homes.

The suburb’s land ballot has previously been swamped with applications, with a total of 500 single-dwelling blocks and 180 multi-unit homes expected to be delivered over the next four years.

Housing and Suburban Development Minister Yvette Berry said the new stage included community spaces and commercial opportunities in the future Local Centre.

“Importantly, the suburb has a target of 15 per cent affordable, community and public homes. Given the ongoing housing crisis, opening up more land for new homes goes a long way towards increasing overall housing supply,” she said.

“Excitingly, it will also be an all-electric suburb, with rebates and bonds on offer for future residents who include energy-efficient features, such as solar panels, in their homes.”

Consultations have been underway to measure what locals want to see in their future centre.

Suburban Land Agency (SLA) senior place manager Richard Binks said feedback had already indicated people wanted spaces to enjoy a cup of coffee and catch up with neighbours, a place for children to play and potentially a supermarket.

“What the SLA will do with that information is include that with the tender package for when we go to sell the site so we can give the developer as much information about what the public will utilise when they move in,” he said.

Around 70 per cent of Jacka will be dedicated to open space, including playing fields, netball courts, an EV charging station, a central playground and interconnected pathways and trails.

Mr Binks said this land use had been deliberate to protect local species.

“We have restricted the development of Jacka somewhat to allow for enhanced environmental outcomes,” he said.

The SLA and Planning Authority are currently working to finalise the development application for the final stage of Jacka.

“[For stage two] there will be a series of wetlands for water retention purposes, and then up behind that, there will be another 200 dwellings,” Mr Binks said.

Eventually, Jacka will be home to about 1800 people.

More information on Jacka and blocks available for sale can be found through the Suburban Land Agency.