How the Kingston Arts Precinct shapes up. Images: NH Architecture.
The Kingston Arts Precinct (KAP) site will be split into four separate land parcels under a Subdivision Development Application submitted by the Suburban Land Agency.
The SDA is a significant milestone for the long-planned and awaited Arts Precinct, which has had a stop-start history marked by the ACT Government parting with its chosen development partner, Geocon and deciding to develop the site itself.
The site, Section 49 Kingston, is already home to a number of heritage assets which will be retained, including the Kingston Powerhouse, Former Transport Depot, and Fitters Workshop.
Zoned for mixed-use development, the KAP will consist of the Arts Precinct—a home for the ACT artistic community —residential and commercial space, a multi-storey carpark, and a substation.
The subdivision layout reflects that. It also shows internal roads, paths, building locations and tree plantings.
It differs markedly from the Geocon plan by keeping the Arts Precinct open to Wentworth Avenue.
The Draft Subdivision Design and SDA evolved in 2024 from the Precinct Concept Plan developed in 2023 by NH Architecture, the principal design team for the redevelopment. The Draft Subdivision Design was then reviewed by ACT Government stakeholders in early 2025.
A government spokesperson said approval of the SDA was expected in early 2026 and would pave the way for future building and siting DAs for the Arts Precinct, housing and the carpark.
The SDA says the KAP is intended to be a destination for visitors and Canberrans to explore contemporary visual arts and culture in the ACT. Completion of the precinct is expected by the end of 2028.
The Arts Precinct will occupy the eastern and central portion of the site with frontages to Wentworth Avenue and Eastlake Parade, and is focused on pedestrian use.
The western end near the Foreshore will be home to multi-unit residences and shops, while the multi-storey carpark is located to the south next to the Former Transport Depot, and the substation is situated at the far east of the site on Eastlake Parade.
The Powerhouse will be a central focus for the Precinct.
The KAP estate plan.
The SDA says the proposed subdivision responds to the Griffins’ plan for Canberra by reconciling the street grid provided by Wentworth Avenue, the geometry of the lake edge and the off-axis positioning of the Powerhouse and other heritage buildings on-site.
It says the design provides green connections through the site from Bowen and Telopea parks through to Lake Burley Griffin and the Jerrabomberra Wetlands.
Verge works include the construction of new driveways, installation of additional footpaths and kerbs, and modifications to existing verge crossings.
No verge trees are slated for removal, but on-site trees will be removed and replaced by new plantings when the site is developed. Limited planting along Eastlake Parade is proposed.
A network of pedestrian and cycle routes is to be created across the site and link to the broader active travel network. Pedestrians will be able to enter the site at seven points.
It is proposed that the existing bus stop on Wentworth Avenue be moved closer to the Powerhouse axis alignment to provide safer and more direct access for pedestrians.
The 346-space multi-storey carpark will provide the bulk of parking for the Arts Precinct, while a two-level basement in the mixed-use residential areas will provide 570 parking spaces (435 spaces for residents/visitors and 135 spaces for retail).
Cycle parking will be provided across the site.
The Traffic Report warns that increased traffic in South Canberra, as well as the KAP and Causeway Precinct, is expected to reduce intersection performance on Wentworth Avenue.
It says potential mitigation measures have been discussed with TCCS and could include travel demand management measures, realigning the Wentworth Avenue/Eastlake Parade/Telopea Park intersection to one intersection and updating the signals and/or increasing traffic capacity on Wentworth Avenue.
The SDA is open to comment until 7 November.
