- Population is rapidly growing, and may surpass numbers in the City Centre and Woden Valley.
- The district is expected to be home to over 70,000 people by 2050.
- Community consultation is expected to take place soon.
Canberra’s Molonglo Group Centre could be reclassified as the national capital’s sixth Town Centre.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government is leading work on a reclassification proposal in light of recent projections that could see Molonglo become home to over 70,000 residents.
“The commercial centre proposed in the suburb of Molonglo is currently classified as a ‘group centre’ which reflects the original planning for Molonglo Valley as a home for around 55,000 residents,” said Minister for Planning Chris Steel.
“Following planning work undertaken to develop the District Strategy for the Molonglo Valley, the district is now set to grow to more than 70,000 people by 2050.
“At current projections, the area could even surpass the population of the City Centre and Woden Valley. That’s why it is time to reclassify the suburb of Molonglo to reflect the scale and status of this district.”
Chris Steel, Minister for Planning
“The ACT Government is now commencing work to develop a case to the National Capital Authority to change the National Capital Plan and recognise Molonglo as a Town Centre. Following this we will also develop a similar amendment to our own Territory Plan.
“This change will cater for projected higher growth expected in the Molonglo Valley and will guide the Suburban Land Agency’s work in developing Molonglo’s major commercial centre.”
What’s in store for Molonglo?
Planning already includes the provision of key infrastructure expected in a Town Centre, such as a college, library, community centre, transport interchange, a town park, and other recreational facilities.
The 2022-23 ACT Budget included funding allocated towards design work for a new Molonglo Valley library and community facility, and a feasibility study for an Emergency Services Station in the Molonglo Valley is underway; the proposed station is expected to be completed in 2025-26.
“With the process now started on reclassifying Molonglo as a town centre, we will also conduct a detailed community needs assessment across the whole of the Molonglo Valley,” said Minister Steel.
“This includes understanding what additional community infrastructure and services are required to support this growing and vibrant community, such a places of religious worship, cultural facilities, government and social services and recreation facilities.
“This feedback will help not just to finalise plans for the proposed Town Centre but also in existing and future suburbs which will be released in ‘Molonglo 3’.”
