The ACT government is rezoning a section of the "Woden Green" development in the Woden town centre to allow high-density, high-rise buildings on remaining undeveloped land.
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The land is on the corner of Hindmarsh Drive and Callam St, with development so far limited to much lower three-storey apartments. But a Territory Plan variation released for comment last week envisages a "marker" building on the corner site that landowner Hindmarsh Constructions says could go as high as 57 metres, or about 18 stories. That height would match the "Sky Plaza" on the opposite corner.
The Woden Green development began life as a joint venture between the government's Land Development Agency and Hindmarsh in 2006, with plans for 1500 dwellings. But in 2013, the government sold its share to Hindmarsh.
The new Woden masterplan earmarks the site on the corner of Hindmarsh Drive and Callam St for a high-rise "marker" building, and also envisages a tramline down the centre of Callam St.
Hindmarsh chief executive Rowan Hindmarsh said the firm had not finalised plans for the corner site. But the site was limited to a maximum of 170 units, so the higher the building, the more opportunity for green space, he said. Hindmarsh had been waiting for three years for the masterplan to be finished and the new planning rules put in place.
"Obviously it's been a long process for us and we have been unfortunately at the mercy of planning, so I'm glad to see they have finally put something out so we can get on with it," he said.
The government is also rezoning parts of the Woden Town Park on Callam St for a community facility.
And it is rezoning the strip of land along the eastern side of Athllon Drive, from Hindmarsh Drive in the north to Mawson in the south, allowing high-rise residential development in much of the area, including a "marker" building near the corner of Athllon Drive and Mawson Drive.
Parts of the Woden town centre, near Worgan and Furzer streets, will be allowed buildings of up to 24 storeys, with 16 storeys allowed on the current Westfield mall site.
Greens planning spokeswoman Caroline Le Couteur welcomed the release of the Territory Plan variation, saying the Woden town centre was in desperate need of renewal. But she was concerned developers might rush through development applications before the new zoning took effect.
