ACT Officials Outline Housing Plans for Canberra Neighborhoods

The ACT government has finalized a deal to buy the 243-hectare CSIRO Ginninderra Experiment Station for $385 million. The purchase will support a new suburb called Ginninderra East that includes over 3,000 new homes with 15 percent set aside as affordable housing.

Ginninderra East land purchase

Officials have confirmed the scale of the site and the housing mix through the completed transaction. The 243-hectare former CSIRO station provides the land base for the planned suburb. The affordable housing component forms part of the stated delivery target for the project.

Molonglo Valley expansion

Plans for Molonglo Valley include 7,000 new homes and a new town centre. A 200-metre bridge over the Molonglo River forms part of the supporting infrastructure with completion expected in 2026. These elements are listed among the active projects advancing in the area.

Planning reforms from July 2026

New planning rules effective July 1, 2026, will permit more low-rise medium-density housing such as terraces, townhouses and duplexes in RZ1 and RZ2 zones. The changes apply across Canberra and are intended to increase housing options within existing residential zones.

City Hill mixed-use neighbourhood

A new mixed-use neighbourhood south-west of City Hill is planned to deliver 500 homes including 76 affordable units. Construction may begin in 2026 with staged completion extending through 2034. The project adds to the pipeline of homes near the city centre.

Five-year housing target

The ACT government has set an overall aim to enable 26,000 new homes over the next five years. The majority of these homes are expected to be multi-unit structures rather than standalone properties. Officials have linked the individual projects to this broader supply goal.

Residents can review project updates and zoning details on the ACT government planning portal and the City Renewal Authority site for further information on timelines and consultation opportunities.