The ACT Government and the owners of Kippax Fair have agreed on a major upgrade of the shopping centre, following last year’s sale agreement.
The owners will commit $12 million to provide 24 new affordable and public housing dwellings, a community space within the retail hub (of which local groups can use 800m2), and a 6000m2 park with barbeque facilities and a playground.
150 new homes will be built as part of the shopping centre.
The project will be delivered in two stages. First, the east precinct will be expanded towards Moyes Crescent. This will include ‘shop top’ housing; a bigger Woolworths and a new Coles supermarket; and more parking. The current shopping centre will then be upgraded.
Enlarging the shopping centre – built in 1977, and too small to serve West Belconnen’s population – has been on the cards since 2014, but delays have concerned locals.
Today’s announcement follows an EOI process for the redevelopment of Kippax Fair. The Canberra Liberals have said construction tenders ignored residents’ views. The revitalisation of the centre is supported by the Kippax masterplan and Belconnen District Strategy.
The project is subject to the development application process, which will include further community consultation on the final design.
“The new Kippax Fair will be seamlessly integrated with surrounding suburbs, and I expect this investment to benefit Canberrans in this region for a generation,” deputy chief minister Yvette Berry said.
