Scentre Group is proposing a two-decade development plan from 2030. Images: SJB.
The owner of Westfield Woden is proposing to transform the site by building 17 residential towers up to 55 storeys high, adding almost 4000 homes to the Town Centre.
ASX-listed Scentre Group flagged in 2022 that it wanted to revitalise its Woden footprint by activating its street frontages, turning the mall inside out and redeveloping the multi-storey carparks for build-to-rent accommodation.
Now it has announced an ambitious Concept Master Plan for the site, proposing landmark towers amid smaller apartment buildings, new plazas and open spaces, a rejuvenated Town Square, new entertainment and hospitality areas, and community facilities.
The proposal would require changes to the planning controls through a Major Plan Amendment.
Scentre Group envisages the redevelopment taking place over a little more than two decades from 2030.
The site covers the retail core of the Town Centre, consisting of Westfield Woden, Bonner House, associated car parking areas, and some adjoining areas of government-owned land.
The area is bound by the Town Square, CIT and Keltie Street to the north, Callam Street to the east, and Corinna Street to the south and west.
Going up. Towers would replace carparks and be built on top of existing buildings.
Scentre Group’s vision for the site is for a precinct operating 18 hours a day, with all facilities within a five-minute walk.
Massing diagrams show the taller towers towards the centre, with smaller ones on the periphery. They are sited and designed to minimise overshadowing of public spaces, vary the scale, and balance density with amenity.
Some would be built on top of the existing buildings, and others would be located where the multi-storey carparks are. More than 8000 parking spaces are planned across the site.
Scentre Group is looking to leverage the arrival of light rail with a range of residential buildings along Callam Street.
In 2023, Scentre Group lodged a development application for a 17-storey office tower to replace the dilapidated and vacant Bonner House East building on that side of the Town Centre.
Scentre Group says building up will “reduce urban sprawl and strengthen Woden’s future as a mixed-use, transit-oriented hub that brings housing, culture, services and social life together in one walkable place”.
Proposed community infrastructure includes a four-storey multipurpose community hub adjoining CIT Plaza with potential for a café, co-working areas, art and quiet spaces, dance studios and amenities.
An indoor recreation centre could include a gym, wellness spaces, multipurpose courts, dance studios, a children’s crèche and amenities.
These would come in the first stage from 2030 to 2036, along with 1000 homes.
The proposal includes entertainment and hospitality precincts. Image: SJB.
Scentre Group Director of Development, Design and Construction, Stewart White, said the Concept Masterplan envisioned a connected community that integrated housing, commercial, retail, culture, services, recreation, and a vibrant social scene, all within one walkable place.
Mr Stewart said Scentre Group saw a significant opportunity for more homes in Woden to help address population growth and the ACT’s housing needs.
“By increasing building density, we’re able to deliver maximum residential options in a location already supported by retail, employment and community infrastructure,” he said.
“We’re also aiming to improve the ground level to create greater connectivity and community spaces, including cultural and community facilities, outdoor green space, improved car parking amenity and other services and experiences we know our community will enjoy.”
On Wednesday (22 October), Chief Minister Andrew Barr told the Legislative Assembly in response to questions from Murrumbidgee MLA Fiona Carrick that he had met Scentre Group officials twice last year to discuss opportunities for more housing in Belconnen and Woden, particularly build-to-rent accommodation.
Mr Barr said Scentre Group had raised the prospect of Lease Variation Charge discounts for the inclusion of more community facilities in its plans, for which there were already several precedents.
A year ago, during the election campaign, Mr Barr said Labor supported more BTR projects across Canberra, particularly along public transport routes and in town centres, saying Westfield Woden, Westfield Belconnen and South Point Tuggeranong were possible sites.
Ms Carrick, a former Woden Valley Community Council president, said Scentre Group’s proposal was an ambit claim that would take the number of towers in the Town Centre to more than 50.
This raised concerns about density and scale, as well as exacerbating traffic congestion and parking issues.
But the proposal aimed to renew street life by making the mall more outward-facing and providing community facilities in a central location.
Ms Carrick said Woden needed more cohesive planning.
“Geocon, the Hellenic Club and Scentre Group are all proposing massive developments with some community facilities – the concern is that without planning with the community in mind, they do not adequately meet its needs,” she said.
Ms Carrick called for the short consultation period, which ends on 16 November, to be extended.
Scentre Group intends to apply for a Major Plan Amendment after it considers community feedback.
It is running a survey, setting up information kiosks at Westfield Belconnen and Woden, and organising community workshops.
Scentre Group owns 42 Westfield sites across Australia and New Zealand.
To learn more, visit the proposal website.
