The Territory government acquired the 243-hectare site in July 2026 for $385 million, following years of negotiations with the Commonwealth.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr called it, “one of the most significant land acquisitions in the ACT's history. By bringing this site into government ownership, we can ensure it is developed in a way that provides housing choice, new infrastructure and supports Canberra's growth over the coming decades.”
Ginninderra East will become a new community in Belconnen, contributing to the ACT Government’s target of enabling 30,000 new homes by 2030 and supporting greater housing choice in the region. At least 15% of homes are planned to be affordable housing, including community and public housing.
ACT and Capital Region Executive Director Ashlee Berry said the purchase created a rare opportunity to masterplan a new community within Canberra’s existing urban footprint, close to established infrastructure, services and employment centres.
ACT Planning Minister Chris Steel said the suburb would contribute to the Territory’s target of enabling 30,000 new homes by the end of 2030. "This is a rare opportunity to plan and design new suburbs close to an established part of Canberra and we want the community’s input,” Mr Steel said.
The location is about 20 minutes from central Canberra, and plans include a school, sporting ovals, parks, shops and community facilities, as well as a protected nature reserve.
Future development will respect and integrate the site’s environmental and cultural values, with green spaces and open areas designed to connect people with the natural landscape. The vision is for a well-connected neighbourhood that supports a high quality of life, with opportunities for living, working, learning and recreation.
The Suburban Land Agency (SLA) is undertaking planning and design work, with a Major Plan Amendment (MPA) expected to be submitted in mid-2027.
The MPA to the Territory Plan will be progressed through the Territory Planning Authority (TPA) to rezone the land from NUZ3 Hills, Ridges and Buffer Areas to a mix of zones allowable under the Territory Plan. The proposal will open for public consultation with further details made available on the Planning website.
The proposed development will provide a diverse range of housing choice options including apartments, townhouses and smaller residential dwellings in an established, well-connected area. This new neighbourhood will create more homes close to existing shops, schools and public transport in nearby suburbs such as Evatt, Spence and Giralang, while also bringing new commercial and community facilities to the area.