Urban Design Can Lead Life-cycle Development Change

Engaged by Suburban Land Agency, ACT Government, we set out to review multiple concept subdivision plans prepared prior to 2023, as well as many other existing background studies and planning policies for the precinct. Through the design review process, we were able to deliver key development design directives for infrastructure works, spatial layout, land use review, and placemaking outcomes.

Kenny’s green-field site area of 155ha has planning inclusions for approximately 1,800-2,500 dwellings, a primary school, and a local centre. It holds significant site importance as a major gateway from the Federal Highway approach to Canberra. Most importantly, the site benefits from the nature conservation assets, of the adjoining Goorooyaroo Reserve to the north, and to the south the Nadjung Mada Reserve. The Sullivans Creek waterway connects the reserves through the site, contributing to much of the site’s cultural history. 

We brought together our planning and design expertise and collaborative specialists teams for landscape and water infrastructure, to ensure that best-practice key directives for landscape and water management strategy were captured.

The Report documented written recommendations for development goals to be set in the following areas: land use and layout, community structure, density, movement network, cultural heritage and place, key elements of infrastructure, land, nature and ecological systems, energy generation and residential economy and place making outcomes. 

The goals will be captured by a proposed ‘Kenny Development Framework’, which will enable the design testing of a new spatial layout and offer an alternative development model.