Molonglo Valley stage 2 planning project

This project aims to create a living place that grows over time in response to the special qualities of the Molonglo Valley – its waterways, hills, histories, and people.

The project will culminate in the preparation of a planning and design framework, important planning requirements for the initial land release area and a concept plan for the group centre and surrounding residential area.

The Molonglo Valley is in Canberra’s west, within the urban growth containment line outlined in The Canberra Spatial Plan (2004). When fully developed, the Molonglo Valley will support about 55,000 people. It is being developed in three stages:

Stage 1 – Coombs, Wright and north Weston, currently being developed and sold
Stage 2 – to the south of the Molonglo River, currently being planned
Stage 3 – to the north of the Molonglo River, to be planned and developed in the next 10 years

The planning and design framework will be a non-statutory document that outlines a vision and principles to guide growth and development of Molonglo Valley stage 2 over the next 20-30 years. The implementation of the vision and objectives will be through a statement of Important Planning Requirements and a concept plan for the group centre and surrounding residential area.

The Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate (ESDD - formerly ACTPLA) is working closely with other government directorates, specialist consultants and an advisory panel of expert planners and designers to inform the work to confirm the design and layout of the group centre and environs.

ESDD is also engaging with residents, community groups, young people and other interested stakeholders, who have already contributed new ideas, identified issues with the planning for Molonglo Valley stage 2 and gained a sense of ownership of the outcomes.

The future of Molonglo Valley stage 2 is part of a wider larger land release to accommodate a total of 55,000 people. Key issues that shape the future layout and design of stage 2 include land uses, public transport, environment, design and aesthetics, economic viability and growth, health and wellbeing and infrastructure provision.

Project area

Molongolo Valley project area map

Background research and analysis

One of the first tasks for the planning of Molonglo Valley stage 2 was the preparation of background investigation studies. These were prepared by specialist consultants which identifyed the key issues and have informed the preparation of the draft planning and design framework.

The background investigations that were undertaken by specialist consultants to inform the planning of Molonglo Valley stage 2 include:

Detailed heritage assessment – BIOSIS Research
Community Infrastructure Needs Assessment – Elton Consulting
Commercial Land requirements - CBRE
Traffic and Transport – AECOM
Geotechnical investigations – AECOM
Stormwater Management – AECOM
Contamination Investigations – AECOM
Civil Infrastructure Assessment – AECOM
Acoustic Assessment – AECOM

The community newsletter summarises this initial background investigation work.

Community consultation

Community engagement for the planning of the Molonglo Valley started with the preparation of the Canberra Spatial Plan in 2004. Subsequent consultation was held during the preparation of the Molonglo Valley Structure Planning Study (2006) and the Territory Plan Variation 281 – Molonglo and North Weston Structure Plan (2008).

More recently, community engagement has been a critical element in the planning for Molonglo Valley stage 2 and has occurred with the preparation of the background investigations and the draft planning and design framework.

Consultation for Molonglo Valley has been a staged approach. ESDD are commencing stage 3 of the community engagement program for Molonglo Valley stage 2. To see all the consultation that has happened to date, please click on the relevant stage below

How to get involved

To get the best results for Molonglo Valley stage 2 we still need your contribution. Community consultation to support the next stage of planning for the Molonglo Valley group centre will happen in 2012. However, in the meantime you can get involved by:

Molonglo Valley group centre and environs online survey

If you would like to receive email notification about how the project is progressing or would like to be notified about any future consultation events for Molonglo Valley stage 2 please email your contact details to the team on MolongloValleystage2@act.gov.au

Draft planning and design framework

To accommodate the anticipated 18,000 residents within the Molonglo Valley stage 2 area, ESDD have undertaken a project to prepare a planning and design framework. The planning and design framework aims to encapsulate the policies and principles set out in the Molonglo Valley and North Weston Structure Plan and other ACT Government policies to guide the development of Molonglo Valley stage 2.

The planning and design framework will set out the vision and principles to guide development and also provide an indicative layout of:

future land uses, such as housing, shops, schools and community facilities;
infrastructure, such as electricity services, water and sewerage reticulation; and
Roads and open space networks.

This document will be implemented through the detailed planning and design criteria contained in the Important Planning Requirements and the group centre concept plan.

In October 2010, the project to prepare a draft planning and design framework (PDF) for the Molonglo Valley stage 2 development area commenced. During this time, we have worked with a variety of ACT Government Directorates, the community and industry reference group (CIRG) and talk to the community through the community forums held in March and June 2011.

The draft PDF for Molonglo Valley stage 2 has now been completed and is currently going through the government approval process.

The next stage of planning will now focus on the detailed planning and design of the group centre and surrounding residential area, which aims to accommodate 7,000-9,000 people of the total 18,000 anticipated for stage 2. This work will be undertaken in 2012. The aim is to create a vibrant, mixed-use urban village that provides a high quality public realm and a positive model for urban housing forms that meet the ACT Government’s objectives for a more compact, sustainable city and for the provision of affordable housing.

Planning for the group centre and environs will be supported by a community engagement program. Future activities will occur throughout 2012 and notification will be posted on the ESDD website and in local newspapers. If you would like to be notified about any future consultation activities for Molonglo Valley stage 2, please send your contact details to MolonlgoValleystage2@act.gov.au

Timeline for this project

Related projects

The Molonglo Valley stage 2 planning project is one of several projects that are being undertaken to support the future development of this new land release area. The project team is coordinating the Molonglo Valley stage 2 planning and design framework project with these projects.

Molonlgo Valley Strategic Assessment
Molonglo River Park Concept Plan
Molonglo Valley stage 2 Infrastructure Planning
ACT Planning Strategy - Draft
Transport for Canberra - Draft
Weston Creek Group Centre Master Plan

Molongolo Valley stage 1 and Land Release

Molonglo Valley stage 1 is currently being developed. The Molonglo and North Weston structure plan sets out the principles and policies that apply to the Molonglo Valley and north Weston future urban area.

For more information about the release of land in stage 1 or purchasing land in stage 1, visit http://www.lda.act.gov.au/?/home/residential/molonglovalley or contact the Land Development Agency.

ACT Government land release program

For information about the timing of land release in the Molonglo Valley and north Weston, contact the Land Development Agency or refer to the ACT Government's indicative residential land supply program, available from the Chief Minister's Department.