Canberra's inner north could need another public primary school, four new child care centres and around 200 aged-care places in the next decade to accommodate the district's growing population, new analysis has shown.
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Two new GP clinics and more recreation spaces for young people might also be required to cope with the area's rapid growth rate, according to analysis from SGS Economics and Planning.
The ACT government commissioned the consultants to prepare the "community needs assessment" to inform its planning for a redevelopment of Dickson's Section 72.
The long-awaited urban renewal project will include construction of a mix of public and affordable housing alongside community facilities.
The consultant's study examined a catchment area within a two kilometre radius of Dickson Section 72 to determine the needs for that site, and the wider inner north area.
The population of the catchment area, which stretched from Braddon to O'Connor, Lyneham and Watson, was expected to grow from 43,125 in 2022 to 51,144 in 2029, according to ACT Treasury and 2016 Census statistics referenced in the report.
The growth was expected to put further pressure on the area's public primary schools, some of which are over, or nearing, enrolment capacity.
Enrolments figures for 2018 showed North Ainslie was at 101 per cent of its capacity, while Majura, Lyneham and Turner primary schools were at more than 80 per cent of their student limit.
Demand for places in the coming decade could mean the government has to build at least one new primary school in the area, the consultant found.
With Lyneham High School over enrolled, and Campbell High School nearing its limits, the government might also need to consider expanding the schools to cope with future growth, the consultant found.
Section 72 was deemed too small to accommodate a school.
The consultant's study found the number of children aged 0-4 in the area would grow from 2193 in 2022 to 3005 to 2029, creating need for at least four new child care centres.
At the other end of the age spectrum, at least 200 extra aged-care beds would need to accommodate an increase in the area's elderly population.
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Of the options for possible community facilities at Dickson's Section 72, the consultant said a youth centre, GP clinic or consulting rooms and aged-care accommodation were the most suitable.
A spokesman for the ACT government said the recommendations from the study would inform its planning for the Section 72 redevelopment.
The government released a preliminary plan for the site last last year, and was scheduled to release a full estate development plan for public consultation in early 2019.
In March, work started on the demolition of four buildings at the site, including the old CFMEU offices, but the final plan has yet to be released.
When asked this week to explain the delay, the spokesman said the government was still in the process of finalising the scope and membership of a community reference group which will oversee the project.
He said the government was also yet to strike a deal with the Salvation Army to secure its now disused centre, which will form part of the wider renewal project.
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
