A plan to subdivide land as part of the long-planned Kingston Arts Precinct in Canberra has been filed by the ACT’s Suburban Land Agency.
The application proposes splitting the site into four land parcels to accommodate the arts, residential and commercial components of the precinct.
The Kingston site, Section 49, contains heritage assets including the Kingston Powerhouse, the Former Transport Depot and the Fitters Workshop, which will be retained.
Zoned for mixed-use development, the quarter will include the arts precinct, apartment and commercial buildings, a multi-storey carpark and a substation.
The subdivision layout shows internal roads, pedestrian paths, building locations and tree plantings, and preserves an open frontage from Wentworth Avenue for the Arts Precinct.
The Draft Subdivision Design and SDA were developed in 2024 based on the 2023 Precinct Concept Plan by NH Architecture and reviewed by ACT Government stakeholders this year.
A government spokesperson said approval for the SDA was expected early next year, paving the way for development applications to be filed for the arts, residential areas and carpark components.
The precinct is intended as a destination for visitors and locals to explore contemporary visual arts and culture in the ACT. Completion is planned for the end of 2028.
The eastern and central sections of the site will house the Arts Precinct, with frontages to Wentworth Avenue and Eastlake Parade and a focus on pedestrian access.
Multi-unit residences and shops will occupy the western end near the foreshore, while the multi-storey carpark will be south of the former Transport Depot and the substation at the far east of the site.
The SDA said the subdivision aligned with Walter Burley Griffin’s original Canberra plan, balancing the street grid, lake edge geometry, and heritage building placement.
Green connections through the site will link Bowen and Telopea parks to Lake Burley Griffin and the Jerrabomberra Wetlands.
Verge works will include new driveways, footpaths, kerbs and modified crossings. No verge trees are planned for removal, although some onsite trees will be replaced with new plantings.
A network of pedestrian and cycle routes will be created, providing seven entry points and linking to the city’s broader active travel network.
The existing bus stop on Wentworth Avenue is proposed to be moved closer to the Powerhouse to improve pedestrian safety and access.
The 346-space multi-storey carpark will provide most parking for the Arts Precinct, while a two-level basement in the residential areas will provide 570 spaces for retail and residents.
Cycle parking will also be provided across the precinct.
The Subdivision Development Application is open for comment until November 7.
