An artist’s impression of the Ainslie Football Club’s redevelopment vision. Photos: Spacelab.
Ainslie Football Club’s development plans have been given a kick along with Planning and Sustainable Development Minister Chris Steel approving a rezoning proposal that could pave the way for up to 400 apartments to be built on the site.
An ACT Government announcement said the approval of a major amendment to the Territory Plan followed a decision by the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee not to hold an inquiry into the proposed change.
Major Plan Amendment (DPA 02) will rezone part of the club site around the north and north-western sides of Alan Ray Oval from Parks and Recreation PRZ2 Restricted Access to Residential RZ5 High Density and Commercial CZ5 Mixed Use.
The club and urban design firm Spacelab proposed the change.
The proposal has been modified to limit commercial development and to clarify building heights in light of community feedback received during the public consultation between 2 December 2024 and 3 February 2025.
Mr Steel said the Territory Planning Authority recommended changes to address some concerns raised by the community and to make the site more consistent with other areas in the Territory Plan.
He said the amendment included additional assessment outcomes to limit commercial development and building heights adjacent to existing residential dwellings.
Development would be limited to 12.5 metres or three storeys where it fronted Angas Street.
Mr Steel said the major amendment was consistent with key policy objectives in the ACT Planning Strategy, the Inner North District Strategy and the government’s housing priorities.
He said it would enable thoughtful human-scale development to occur, which would support the government’s housing objectives and also its objectives around diversifying club revenue away from poker machines.
It was a well-located area close to public transport and the Ainslie local shops.
“The site is specifically identified as a category 3 change area in the Inner North District Strategy, meaning it is a prime location for considered, thoughtful, and well-designed changes,” Mr Steel said.
The five stages of the proposed redevelopment.
Mr Steel said the amendment would allow between 200 and 400 residential dwellings to be built, meaning more homes close to amenities, public transport, community facilities and only a short distance from the heart of the city.
The Major Plan Amendment also introduced assessment outcomes and requirements relating to residential density, commercial uses, parking, building heights and active travel.
Changes were also proposed to relevant technical specifications to support and guide these new provisions.
Mr Steel said that if the Assembly approved the amendment, the community would be able to provide further input on the site when a development application is lodged.
Ainslie resident Barbara Livesey launched the petition, which ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury sponsored.
It said that more than 80 per cent of the 146 submissions to the consultation opposed the rezoning for high-density development and raised a broad range of concerns that had not been adequately considered.
Mr Steel acknowledged there were a range of views on the proposal but said it was a distinct site that would not have a significant impact on surrounding residents.
“Where there is an interface with residents on Angus Street, we’ve made sure that the development steps down to three stories within 15 metres of Angus Street to limit the impact on those surrounding residents,” he said.
“Whilst this will support more density on the site, most of that density will be located away from existing residents, allowing development up to six storeys on the north-western side of the site.”
Mr Steel said commercial development on the site would be restricted so that it didn’t undermine the nearby shopping centres, including the Ainslie shops.
He was confident that the Assembly would support the amendment.
“I think there will be support for this proposal because it’s in a well-located position and it is a transit-oriented development,” he said.
The club’s proposed amendment supported its master plan for 200 to 400 homes, a relocated and improved social and football club and sporting facilities, and a new hotel.
The five-to-10-year development plan would be undertaken in five stages, the first of which will be an already-approved child care centre.
The club, like others, is pursuing a redevelopment to secure its financial future as its revenue from poker machines winds down.
Comment was sought from the club.
