The National Capital Plan has been amended to allow mixed-use development at the site of the former Australian Forestry School in Yarralumla, Block 7 Section 4.
The amendment allows for residential, aged care, social housing, commercial accommodation, community facilities and ancillary commercial uses.
“This amendment is great news for the national capital because it opens up more land for housing supply in inner Canberra, encourages new commercial opportunities, and makes for better use of existing infrastructure on the site,” Kristy McBain MP, Federal Minister for Territories, said.
“Reimaging this much-loved part of Canberra will forge a pipeline of work that will support local job opportunities, stimulate the territory’s economy, and ensure the entire community can enjoy this space like never before.”
The site was occupied by the Australian Forestry School (1927–68), the Forestry and Timber Bureau (1968–75), and finally by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which vacated the site in 2022. Small private sector offices occupy some buildings on the site.
The National Capital Authority began a public consultation for the site last year. It stated that the proposed alignment aligned with the National Planning Reform Blueprint by promoting medium and high-density housing in strategically positioned locations near established public transportation networks, amenities, and employment opportunities.
Up to 300 dwellings will be permitted on the site, including buildings of up to three storeys. Sixty per cent of the site will be retained as open space, and 45 per cent of that set aside for deep root planting.
Heritage buildings and structures, including the Australian Forestry School, the former Museum, store, tennis courts, and Forestry House, will be retained and adaptively reused.
Most of the new buildings must be located within the footprints of existing or recently demolished buildings, and the environmental performance of new buildings will be critical, requiring high levels of solar access and natural cross ventilation.
New buildings will also need to sit in the landscape according to its topography within the tree line.
Parking, access, and movement will need to comply with ACT Government requirements, and the site must be prepared for electric vehicle infrastructure.
The oval is not subject to the amendment, and will continue to be managed by the ACT Government.
Yarralumla residents will be able to walk through the grounds as the site develops.
The NCA will maintain its planning responsibility for the site, including approvals for proposed works, new buildings, and landscape works such as removing trees and excavations.
Alicia Payne MP, Federal Member for Canberra, thanked the local community for their input into this amendment, “which aims to strike a balance between urban density and preserving the natural character of Yarralumla.
“There’s a strong focus on retaining and enhancing the natural character and landscape setting of the area, and in ensuring that community facilities, such as the oval, and heritage buildings, such as the Australian Forestry School and former museum, are safeguarded for future generations.”
