Project background

The Suburban Land Agency (SLA) is designing and constructing a showcase sustainable housing precinct that sets the future for local living. This ‘missing middle’ style, landscape-oriented townhouse precinct differs in a range of beneficial ways from the local market offering.

The precinct is located in North Wright within the Molonglo Valley approximately 14 kilometres west of Canberra City Centre. Close to Stromlo Forest Park and Leisure Centre, the site comprises five parcels of land on the south side of Thwaites Crescent. The land surrounding these parcels are either recently constructed residential dwellings or vacant development land, the suburb is set to evolve into an active residential community anchored by shops, recreation facilities, and open spaces.

Girl in wheel chair with family

Comprising 43 separately titled blocks of 200sqm to 250sqm within a single, integrated precinct, this project aims to create a sense of community with a design that supports the wellbeing of residents of different ages, income levels and cultural backgrounds. The replicable design typologies include a range of two-bedroom townhouses with ‘room to grow’ for a third bedroom, as well as three‑bedroom townhouses. Selected blocks include both a townhouse and a ‘surveillance unit’ as a separate rear-lane, self-contained flat as required by statutory planning controls for the precinct.

Importantly, the Project seeks to provide distinctive residences and spaces that foster safety, belonging, discovery and joy amongst those who will call it home. Underpinned by our mandate to deliver high quality housing at a lower cost, both to purchase and to live in, SLA’s Vision  is to build homes of high amenity and liveability with reduced energy, materials and land use. Landscape-oriented and accessible design solutions with a healthy indoor air quality are prioritised, leading to 7- and 8-Star Passive Solar Design or Passivhaus homes. In doing so, the project will complement existing housing options with a higher-quality, sustainable built form outcome and is intended to demonstrate a new delivery model that provides insights and lessons that can be replicated in future developments.

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Stakeholder Advisory Group

SLA has formed a Stakeholder Advisor Group (Advisory Group) with industry and community sector representatives to provide input into the Place and Design Brief for the Project and to review the design documentation at key decision making points in the project.  Engagement between the Advisory Group, SLA and the design consultant team is an opportunity to collaborate on the built form, place and landscape outcomes for the development and will be central to SLA’s success in delivering a desirable, viable and equitable place. 

As part of the process, the Advisory Group is:

  • providing input into the Place and Design Brief for the Project
  • reviewing the landscape masterplan for the neighbourhood precinct
  • reviewing the concept design and detailed design for the new homes
  • participating in the co-design process for the verges and open spaces.

The diverse membership of the Advisory Group encourages feedback from a diverse range of perspectives, reflecting peak representative organisations, community organisations, the local neighbourhood and a range of community and special interest groups including those with an interest in sustainable and affordable housing.

More information

Workshop summaries

Stakeholder consultation roadmap

roadmap infographic

Learn more about this project

For more information on the north Wright Compact Housing Project, please contact the Suburban Land Agency on suburbanland@act.gov.au or by calling (02) 6205 0600.