A significant expansion of a Belconnen shopping mall could be on the way in exchange for revitalising a decommissioned oval, with the release of a revised master plan for the Kippax Centre.
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The Kippax Centre serves the suburbs of Higgins, Holt, Latham and Macgregor.
With a catchment area of about 53,000, Kippax Centre includes the Kippax Library and the shopping mall, Kippax Fair.
But with cross-border suburb of Ginninderry being developed to the west, the group centre will used by at least 30,000 more residents over the next four decades.
Kippax Fair accommodates about 8000 square metres of shops and cafes, but a 2014 analysis showed the 11,500-square-metre group centre could support another 10,000 square metres of retail and commercial operations on top of that.
A draft master plan to capitalise on this was first released in November 2015, with community consultation in February 2016.
It earmarked the car park across from the service station for a third supermarket. Aldi and Woolworths already have a presence inside Kippax Fair.
But Elton Consulting director Dan Stewart told Fairfax Media the local residents had little appetite for the loss of more parking.
"The Kippax Centre is already at capacity for parking," Mr Stewart said.
Kippax Fair, with Elton Consulting and Cox Architecture, put forward an alternate proposal to expand the mall with enough new retail space for a 3500-square-metre supermarket, a 5500-square-metre department store and basement parking underneath.
They also wanted to build 40 to 50 terrace houses on the ridge behind the mall.
Two playing fields and a community centre would be lost due to the redevelopment.
That building is currently used by Belconnen Community Service.
Kippax Fair promised to rebuild the community centre at the front of the mall.
The owners also promised to recommission Higgins Oval, about a kilometre to the south, with two football fields and a cricket pitch in the summer.
An ACT government spokesman told Fairfax Media in January the plan was due to be finalised early in 2017, but could be pushed back if a redevelopment proposal from the owners Kippax Fair had "demonstrated benefits for the centre".
Kippax Fair surveyed more than 200 people from October/ November 2016, and more than 80 per cent of respondents were "positive" about the redevelopment.
The government held meetings from July to October with representatives from Kippax Fair, local businesses and schools.
Planning minister Mick Gentleman said the community panel supported expanding the retail precinct to the east of the group centre.
"It was agreed that it could result in drawing more people to the centre whilst supporting existing retail, which would help give a boost to local businesses," Mr Gentleman said in a statement.
"The revised master plan includes more shops to broaden retail options for existing residents and respond to population growth in the area, and ensuring top quality sporting areas for the community."
The draft master plan also leaves the door open for the renewal of Higgins Oval.
The oval was decommissioned during the last drought and was almost sold off for housing, along with the old school.
But the government abandoned the sale in 2014, which then backbencher, now sports minister Yvette Berry heralded as a win for residents.
"It's vital that community sports facilities are a central consideration in the master plan and I welcome the panel's suggestion - building on an existing community conversation - about the opportunity to upgrade Higgins Oval," Ms Berry said in a statement.
Mr Stewart said there would be "no net loss" of green space if Kippax Fair was able to proceed as planned, "compensating" the community for the loss of the playing fields by "reigniting" Higgins Oval.
He said they could even create a small park in the are once the redevelopment was completed, although that was still under discussion.
The Kippax Centre master plan will be open for public comment until March 2018. yoursay.act.gov.au
