Turf war brewing as plan paves way for major Kippax expansion

The shopping centre's owners plan to build another supermarket, as well as a retail and dining precinct bordered by townhouses, as part of an expansion across most of Holt playing fields.

The government said the loss of up to 16,000 square metres of open space would be offset by an upgrade of Higgins Oval, declaring the move would deliver an "overall win" for the community.

But the local community council said it could not afford to lose any green space as the region's population prepares to swell on the back of construction of the 11,5000-home Ginninderry estate in the coming decades.

Planning Minister Mick Gentleman and local MLA Gordon Ramsay will on Monday release the final masterplan for Kippax group centre, following more than five years and four rounds of community consultation.

The plan is designed to guide the future growth of Kippax, which serves the suburbs of Higgins, Holt, Latham and MacGregor. It earmarks more higher-density housing in the precinct, and recommends upgrades to carparking, footpaths and bikeways.

But the most significant, and contentious, aspect of the final masterplan is the decision to allow for a major expansion of Kippax Fair over the playing fields, which is used for rugby league and Oztag.

The centre's owners have been eyeing an upgrade for more than a decade, and a 2014 study showed Kippax's population could support another 10,000 square metres of retail and commercial space.

The government's 2015 draft masterplan suggested allowing the centre to expand west over an existing carpark. Kippax Fair countered with an alternative plan to move east over Holt playing fields, declaring there was a "high level of community support" for its proposal.

The centre's version was adopted in the final draft masterplan, and received the backing of a community panel convened to provide input during the consultation - despite some community opposition to the potential loss of open space.

The panel recommended that sporting, recreation and community facilities affected by a shopping centre expansion be relocated, insisting the "community not be disadvantaged as part of this process".

In December 2017, The Canberra Times reported Kippax Fair's owners had promised to "reignite" Higgins Oval to offset the loss of Holt playing fields. 

But the ACT government has since pledged $2.2 million to revitalise Higgins Oval, with Sports Ministers Yvette Berry last year declaring that upgrade couldn't afford to wait for the Kippax Fair proposal to be given the green light.

At the time, Ms Berry suggested another oval in West Belconnen could be in line for an upgrade if the centre expansion went ahead.

But in a statement to The Canberra Times, a government spokesman said the upgrade of Higgins Oval would account for the loss of Holt playing fields.

Work could include upgrading turf, irrigation and floodlighting, and building a new pavilion, the spokesman said.

The government is already in talks with Holt's sporting teams about their future, including possible relocation to Higgins Oval.

The spokesman said feedback during consultation showed the community backed the shopping centre expansion plan, citing an online poll which found 65 per cent of 243 respondents supported it.

"There is growing demand for additional commercial and retail uses in the Kippax Centre," he said. "This change would better serve the local population as it continues to grow, including expansions in West Belconnen and Ginninderry."

Belconnen Community Council chair Glen Hyde said an upgrade to Kippax Fair was needed, but stressed it must be balanced out with the creation of new open space, rather than simply an upgrade to Higgins Oval.

Mr Hyde rubbished the government's claims of broad community support for the plan, saying feedback to the council indicated it was not "not even close to the optimal outcome".

"Once you take something away, you never get it back in net terms," Mr Hyde said. "We are going to have 30,000 extra people here in the coming decades and if we want to attract people to come and live, work and play here, then we have to have the facilities."

"If we don't get this right now, then there are going to be impacts for the next two generations."

Cox Architecture's Chris Millman, speaking on behalf of Kippax Fair's owners, said the release of the "long overdue" masterplan plan marked a major step towards revitalising the 40-year old centre.

Mr Millman said an expanded centre would include two supermarkets and more space for cafes, restaurants and retailers. The townhouses would be built on the centre's eastern edge, he said.

"This significant investment will breathe new life into the group centre with the creation of a true, mixed-use precinct including community, cafes, restaurants, shops commercial shop fronts, residential as well as outdoor parks, playgrounds and green space."

The government will be required to rezone Holt playing fields to allow retail use before it is sold for redevelopment.

The centre's owners would then be required to lodge a development application for an expansion.