The ACT government forecasts more than $2 billion worth of home building in Gungahlin's new suburbs over the next 15 years.
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The Land Development Agency chief executive David Dawes said about 10,500 dwellings would be constructed in Moncrieff, Throsby, Kenny, Jacka and Taylor.
Depending on demand, they would be developed at a rate of between 500 and 1000 dwellings a year.
But grappling with transport demands and commercial development to build a critical mass remains a challenge for the northern suburbs.
ADCO Constructions has begun the $28.7 million Gungahlin Leisure Centre, completing excavation for 50-metre and 25-metre swimming pools. The centre will also have water play areas for children and a gym.
The town centre's enclosed oval has turf, goal posts, nets and fencing completed, while tenders are being evaluated for a $6.5 million grandstand.
Gungahlin Community Council says the town centre still lacks job opportunities, restaurants and children's entertainment. The council's president, Ewan Brown, is worried that tougher Commonwealth environmental legislation will reduce housing in new suburbs and slow the pace of infrastructure development.
He said decisions on the Gungahlin-Civic transport corridor and light rail were holding up town centre developments. ''At the same time we are getting this continued massive development along Flemington Road which is bringing more and more people into the area and we are not seeing a commensurate increase in commercial facilities.
''We are hoping the release of the national broadband network service in February will be a goer and stimulate interest.''
He welcomed funding for digital hubs at Gungahlin Library.
''I would hope it would attract a whole lot of small businesses into the area to really capitalise on Gungahlin being a first NBN serviced community.''
Mr Dawes said that over the next decade and a half civil works including the laying of services for housing estates would cost about $700 million with an additional $200 million for capital infrastructure including main roads and new intersections.
''In addition, the construction of schools to service the new suburbs is anticipated to see an investment of a further $120 million and expenditure on commercial and retail space of around $50 million,'' Mr Dawes said.
Work is under way on Bonner's $64 million school and Franklin's $28 million school.
The Catholic Education Office is building the John Paul College in Nicholls for years 7 to 12.
The government expects to announce a tender in June for a cinema complex in the town centre with work to begin in the second half of next year.
