Strathnairn is close to Ginninderra Falls and the Murrumbidgee River. Photo: Region Media.
If you care about sustainability, green living and an affordable lifestyle, the new suburb of Strathnairn in West Belconnen could be right up your alley.
It’s the first suburb in the cross-border Ginninderry development, a 30-year project to build 11,500 dwellings across four suburbs – three in the ACT and one immediately adjacent in New South Wales.
Close to Ginninderra Falls, the Murrumbidgee River and the Belconnen Town Centre, Strathnairn promises low-maintenance housing options to suit busy lifestyles. But what really sets it apart from other new suburbs in Canberra is its strong environmental focus – from streets and roads designed to be pedestrian and bus-friendly, to an abundance of open spaces and compulsory solar panels on every home.
Thinking about visiting or moving to Strathnairn? Here’s what you need to know.
History
Strathnairn is one of Canberra’s newest suburbs. Gazetted in 2016, its first residents moved in around early 2020.
And if the name Strathnairn sounds familiar, you’re not imagining things. The suburb is named after the historical Strathnairn Homestead, which is located in Strathnairn and has been used as a community arts facility since 1977.
Inside the gallery at Strathnairn Arts Association. Photo: Daniella Jukic, We Are Found.
Shops and eateries
Ginninderry will one day have a retail and commercial centre about the same size as Kippax.
In the meantime, for regular grocery shopping, Strathnairn is two kilometres from Kippax Shopping Centre and a ten-minute drive from the Belconnen Town Centre.
Café Bolivar is also located within the GX Display Village and opens for coffee and a bite to eat during village opening hours.
Places of interest and things to do
Strathnairn’s e-bikes can be ridden for 60 kilometres on a single charge. Photo: Region Media.
- Visit Strathnairn Arts. Strathnairn Arts is a non-profit arts organisation which has been used by Canberra artists for decades. Located in the heart of the new suburb of Strathnairn, it has a café, galleries and regular events and workshops.
- Take a ride on an electric bike. Strathnairn residents are among the first Canberrans to take part in an electric-bike share scheme after Ginninderry launched its e-bike fleet in late 2019. The bikes, which can reach 25 kilometres per hour, can be ridden for 60 kilometres between charges.
Playgrounds and parks
Outdoor sculptures at the Strathnairn Arts Association. Photo: Daniella Jukic, We Are Found.
Every home in Strathnairn, including those yet to be built, will be within a five-minute walk of a park or open space.
The largest open space in the suburb will be the Neighbourhood Park, which is expected to open in late 2020. It will likely feature plenty of play equipment for kids of all ages, multi-purpose sports areas, picnic areas, toilets and barbecue facilities.
Other parks include The Green Link, which runs through Strathnairn. It’s a place for enjoying the outdoors, with plans to build a sculpture walk in the future.
Getting around
Inside the gallery at Strathnairn Arts Association. Photo: Daniella Jukic, We Are Found.
Ginninderry is being planned so that residents have good public transport options and there is less reliance on driving cars. The layout of roads, paths and off-road corridors has been optimised for pedestrians, bikes and buses with simple and direct routes.
A free minibus service trial is underway in Strathnairn, linking residents to the Kippax Bus Station, Kingsford Smith School and Macgregor Primary School. The service, Route 903, operates seven days a week and runs every half an hour, with an increase to 15-minute frequency during weekday peak periods. A dedicated Transport Canberra bus route is expected to be operational within the next couple of years.
If you drive an electric car, you’re in luck. Strathnairn is home to the first electric car recharging station in West Belconnen, while several more are planned for the rest of the Ginninderry development.
Schools
While Strathnairn does not yet have a school, Ginninderry could eventually have up to four schools (three in the ACT and one in NSW), including a combined primary and high school.
For the time being the closest schools are in West Belconnen. They include Kingsford Smith School, Latham Primary School, Macgregor Primary School and Belconnen High School.
Why the locals love it
Local artist Eryka Garbutt sells her hand crafted items at the Strathnairn Arts Association gallery store. She finds inspiration everywhere and creates items from things like plastic bottles and egg shells. Photo: Daniella Jukic, We Are Found.
Strathnairn’s first residents may have only just moved in, but it’s clear that Ginninderry’s focus on sustainability, liveability, environment (Ginninderry has a six star Green Star Communities rating, the highest rating awarded by the Green Building Council of Australia) and community are big draw cards.
To learn more about the Ginninderry lifestyle, read 10 reasons why Ginninderry is inspiring a new way of living.
Quick facts
- Median age: No census data available
- Median weekly household income: No census data available
- Median weekly rent: No census data available
- Houses vs. apartments: No census data available
- Suburb sales record (excludes land sales): $675,000 in 2019
Source: 2016 Census.
Photo: Region Media.
Want to find the latest real estate listings for sale and rent in Strathnairn? Zango can help you find them:
Do you live, or have you previously lived, in Strathnairn? What are your favourite things about the suburb? What advice would you give to people considering moving there? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Loading ...
