Apartments, restaurants and boardwalks will line the shores of Lake Burley Griffin under a major plan to transform the lake's western basin into a residential and recreational hub.
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Chief Minister Katy Gallagher will announce a series of major developments on Tuesday for an overhaul of the area extending from the western basin to Anzac Parade.
The Canberra Times revealed last year that the western basin was one of five options the government was considering for the location of a new Canberra stadium to be built by 2020.
Under that proposal a stadium with a clear polymer roof would be built as part of a new western basin precinct that would include a convention complex and the proposed Australia Forum.
The Canberra business community has long been pushing for a new national convention centre and has also backed locating a stadium at the location.
The designs Ms Gallagher will unveil on Tuesday for what has been dubbed the “City to the Lake” project reveal the full extent of the government's plans to transform the western basin into a vibrant recreation area?.
Images supplied to The Canberra Times give just a hint of the overall vision and show apartments and commercial complexes alongside restaurants, bars and boardwalks.
More developments are expected to be announced at a launch of the project on Tuesday morning.
“The study provides a framework for an urban extension of the city centre towards the lake, from the West Basin to Anzac Parade,” Ms Gallagher said.
Ms Gallagher will announce the western basin overhaul as part of a broader plan to steer the city's development towards an eventual population of 500,000 people. The Chief Minister will unveil a second project on Tuesday – “The City Plan” – which will guide future decisions on infrastructure and facilities across the territory. The City Plan will also provide more insight into the promised light rail network and guide planning for future stages of the project, including possible routes to the inner south and Woden.
ACT Labor has agreed to begin construction of the first stage from Gungahlin to Civic during this term as part of its parliamentary deal with the ACT Greens.
“As we celebrate our first 100 years, and look towards our next century, it is appropriate to talk about the role of our city centre, and how it can become a more dynamic, vibrant and sustainable place,” Ms Gallagher said. “The City Plan will provide a blueprint for future infrastructure development, land release and incentives for redevelopment.
“It will guide our decision-making on what facilities and infrastructure are needed, where these should be located, and what should be the appropriate mix of land use.”
Ms Gallagher said consultation and community feedback would be critical in the planning, and a website would be launched on Tuesday for Canberrans to have their say on the projects.
