A massing illustration of the mixed-use proposal for the corner of Hinder and Hibberson streets. Images: Englobo Group.
Englobo Group is proposing a new mixed-use precinct in the Gungahlin Town Centre that would meet much of the community’s call for more local jobs and entertainment in the fast-growing northern district.
Englobo has been consulting with the community on its Gungahlin 2030 project, which is slated for a 16,341-square-metre vacant site on the corner of Hinder and Hibberson streets, alongside the light rail line.
The Canberra-based developer wants to build a mixed-use retail and entertainment precinct comprising commercial space, apartments, a premium hotel, offices and short-stay accommodation.
The vision is to create a new heart of social and community life in Gungahlin.
According to the project website, this involves 350 apartments, 50 of which are affordable, across three buildings set among landscaped gardens and a pool. Additionally, there is a podium building with two towers: one for the hotel and the other for 10,000 sqm of office space.
The plans show the hotel having a rooftop garden, pool and wellness area.
Also planned is a landscaped Hinder Street Public Square leading to a central Market Hall on the lower ground floor, with streetside dining on either side.
A casual dining and shopping precinct is planned for the upper ground floor, with access from Hibberson, Kate Crace and Earnest Cavanagh streets.
The proposed office building would cater to up to 1000 office workers and be the largest office building in the town centre.
The proposed development has a green edge.
A three-level basement carpark would include 1050 spaces over three levels, and be available 24/7, with dedicated EV fast-charging on the first level.
A proposed direct sale of 764 sqm of land is also being pursued through a separate process to enable the best planning outcome, improve land management, and ensure compatibility with the Territory Plan.
Englobo says sustainability is embedded in the project, with the precinct to be powered by renewable energy. It is designed for pedestrians and features shared streets, seamless connections to cycle paths, and the Public Square.
It also includes a precinct-wide recycling and waste-collection strategy that minimises landfill.
Englobo says the project will provide more choices in dining, shopping, wellness, recreation and leisure in the town centre and mean fewer reasons to leave Gungahlin for regular needs.
It says the development will generate significant local employment during construction and ongoing operations in retail, hospitality, and the office component, attracting new employers and industries to the area.
A recent Gungahlin community survey highlighted the lack of employment and entertainment opportunities in the town centre, now dominated by residential apartments, forcing occupants to leave the area to work.
A market hall is central to the proposal.
Placemaking consultant Jennifer Cook said the plans had been designed around the community priorities to ensure the precinct reflected local issues and needs.
“What we’re proposing is intentionally more ambitious and future-oriented,” she said.
“Englobo sees this as an opportunity to build a true 18-hour, seven-day-a-week place for the community. Not just somewhere people live, but somewhere people work, socialise, shop or play any time of the day or week, in a way that suits their lifestyle.”
A place for people to work, socialise, shop and play.
Ms Cook said the mix of uses helped diversify and strengthen revenue streams for retailers, was more attractive to employers considering relocating their offices to Gungahlin, spread and attracted more foot traffic across more hours, and would reduce the reliance on commuting.
“A one-stop destination bolsters the local economy, saves people time, and with the addition of the new Public Square, gives Gungahlin Town Centre a true community heart,” she said.
“We’re designing a place that integrates multiple uses intentionally, to create sustained vitality, economic resilience and a stronger, more desirable local identity for the Gungahlin Town Centre.”
Connectivity is a key part of the plans.
Initial feedback indicated that the amount of office space was insufficient and that big-name retailers needed to be attracted.
But Englobo director John Susa said ambition needed to be balanced with market realities, planning constraints and project viability.
“Our proposal is for 10,000 sqm of office space, which would make it the largest office building in the Gungahlin Town Centre, consistent with the Gungahlin Town Centre masterplan, and achieves sustainability rating requirements [subject to resolution around utility servicing requirements] for new building leases signed by government departments,” he said.
Larger, purpose-built Commonwealth offices were earmarked in the planning system for Block 3 and Block 5 Section 231 within East Gungahlin.
Mr Susa said the retail and entertainment mix had been intentionally curated to respond to community needs rather than maximised for sheer scale.
“We’re prioritising complementary offerings [dining, leisure experiences, convenience] that bring the precinct to life in a way that aligns with the changing face of the local community,” he said.
“We hope this will be a catalyst for more businesses to invest in the future of Gungahlin and grow the retail and office offering sustainably over time.”
To learn more and comment, visit the Gungahlin 2030 website. The consultation period ends on 13 October, and a development application is expected by the end of the year.
