24 April 2026
Links of Interest
Southern Gateway Planning and Design Framework
"The ACT Planning Strategy set the direction for a liveable and accessible Canberra. The Planning Strategy aims to build 70% of new homes in existing urban areas. The strategy highlights the importance of exploring the possibility of a light rail corridor from the City to Woden to improve accessibility in Canberra."
Draft North Curtin Residential Area - Detailed Conditions for Planning, Design and Development | National Capital Authority
The National Capital Authority (NCA) has released the Draft Detailed Conditions of Planning, Design and Development (DCPDD) for the North Curtin Residential Area.
NORTH CURTIN RESIDENTIAL AREA – New suburb with density of Singapore on our doorstep
Curtin Horse Paddocks is the site for development known as the Diplomatic Precinct. Its 58 hectares are to be developed as:
- Diplomatic Estate – 32 hectares
- North Curtin Residential Area – 13 hectares
- Wetlands/Ecology Park – 13 hectares
This North Curtin Residential Area development in the Curtin Horse Paddocks is the first cab off the rank of the ACT Governments Southern Gateway Corridor urban intensification project.
The Southern Gateway Corridor which incorporates the Inner South and Woden Districts identifies areas of Yarralumla for infill that are considered “underutilised.”
This development is of concern to Yarralumla as:
- Its density of 92 dwellings/ha sets a benchmark of very high density for future urban infill, on a par with Singapore.
- There is no integration with Light Rail Stage 2B – no direct access and no light rail stops planned. Although this was the justification for densification on Yarra Glen.
- The 2010 requirement for a major interchange is not included. The “Mint Interchange” is essential to handle the increasing arterial road traffic volumes on Cotter Road, Yarra Glen and Adelaide Avenue–originating from Molonglo, Canberra Brickworks and West Deakin commercial area and now the Curtin Residential area and Diplomatic Estate.
- Concurrent construction of Light Rail Stage 2B and the Curtin Residential Area over 10 years will cause long term serious disruption to commuter traffic.
Submissions close on 10 June 2026
The Yarralumla Residents Association will be making a submission.
Submissions in writing by email to dcp@nca.gov.au
NCA Information Events:
- Yarralumla Shops pop up booth consultation on Wednesday 29 April 8:30am-11:00am
- Curtin shops (Curtin Autumn Fair) information stall Saturday 2 May 10:00am – 2:00pm
- Curtin Shops pop up booth Thursday 7 May 8:30am – 11:00am
- Southern Cross Club Woden Wednesday 13 May – presentation with question and answer 6:00pm – 7:30pm and online ( Register here)
About North Curtin Residential Estate Development
The National Capital Authority (NCA) released conditions for the North Curtin Residential Estate on 14 April 2026, This development forms part of the ACT Government’s Southern Gateway Corridor project and Light Rail Stage 2B (Draft North Curtin Residential Area - Detailed Conditions for Planning, Design and Development | National Capital Authority)
This residential development is adjacent to Yarralumla and is part of the new Diplomatic Precinct in the Curtin Horse Paddocks (Curtin Section 121 and Section 106 (Block 4). There are three components: the diplomatic estate area of 32 ha; the Yarralumla Creek wetlands area of 13 ha; and the North Curtin residential area of 13 ha.
- The density of the 1,200 dwellings in just 13 hectares planned for North Curtin residential area is:
- similar number of dwellings to an entire suburb
- is 92 dwellings per hectare – the same as Singapore New Town developments (2018)
- 4 times that of the combined Canberra Brickworks and Forestry Place developments of 25 dwellings per hectare
- 40 times that of the suburb of Red Hill at 2.4 dwellings per hectare
- Public open space of just 0.24ha is provided – which equates to 2 square metres per dwelling
- Number of storeys for buildings will range from 3 to 8 storeys
- there are conditions for design of buildings according to the number of storeys
- some ground-floor non-residential space at key intersections and park edges to support daily needs of residents, and a possible “mini” supermarket
- development to encourage cafes, childcare, medical services
- No road access to Yarra Glen as it is an 80kph arterial road
- thus no access to where the Light Rail will run
- no light rail stop has been planned for this area by Infrastructure Canberra who are responsible for Light Rail Stage 2B
- All vehicle access will be via the Cotter Road
- including from the 32ha Diplomatic Precinct for which the number of embassies and missions to be built is unknown
- No provision for the “Mint Interchange” argued as necessary for Canberra Brickworks Development in Yarralumla. This is required to handle the traffic for Yarra Glen-Woden/City, Cotter Road- Molonglo and the West Deakin commercial area
- The 13ha floodable area of Yarralumla Creek next to Yarra Glen and adjoining the residential site will be an ecological park – that is wetlands
- Development expected to start in 4 years and take up to10 years
- concurrent with the construction of Light Rail Stage 2B
- a traffic management mega challenge for commuters.
