Hindmarsh scales back plans for Woden development

The company has scaled back plans for their site in the Woden town centre and has decreased the proposed building height for the tallest tower from 25 storeys to 17. The developer has also cut the number of apartments from 445 to 419.

Hindmarsh had submitted a development application last year for 445 units across four buildings and the tallest building was slated to be 26 storeys. Those plans were revised down from an earlier proposal for two 27-storey towers.

There are three towers proposed in the latest amendments, which include a 12-storey tower, a 15-storey tower and a 17-storey tower. A row of townhouses previously slated for the site have been removed to allow for "more landscaped open space". A podium carpark had also been scaled back.

The community had objected to the building height and Hindmarsh development manager Mia Dragila said feedback informed the amendments.

"Hindmarsh consulted extensively on this project, which afforded us the opportunity to understand the concerns of the community," she said.

"The amendment has been made and a revised design prepared in response to community and planning authority feedback received on the original proposal, along with further consideration from Hindmarsh."

As well, Ms Dragila said plans had been revised to increase landscaping around the development. She said the building envelope would encompass less than half the site.

"The level of landscaping and amenity has been further increased, a move driven by Hindmarsh in response to the recent pandemic," she said.

"The proposed amendment is more sympathetic to surrounding residents and development."

Woden Valley Community Council president Fiona Carrick said she was pleased to see the reduction in building height but would continue to examine the plans.

"It appears to be positive but the Woden Valley Community Council is looking into the benefits and any further issue," she said.

IN OTHER PLANNING NEWS:

The development is another stage to Hindmarsh's Woden Green site. The Woden Green development began as a joint venture between the developer and the former Land Development Agency about 15 years ago, but the government sold its share to Hindmarsh.

"Hindmarsh have been invested in this precinct for over 10 years, with our most recent development Tarlo completing in 2019," Ms Dragila said.

"This precinct is distinctly different from the rest of Woden, having the only development sites in the Town Centre surrounded by green space rather than commercial offices.

"This is important to both Hindmarsh and the community and has played a huge part in informing our design."

Ms Dragila said pending development approval they had planned to start construction in the first half of next year and it was expected the build would take about two years.

"We anticipate this unique offering will draw in people from all over Canberra, as well as interstate investors - and bring further diversity and much needed life to Woden," she said.