Kings and Commonwealth Avenues Draft Design Strategy

Kings and Commonwealth avenues are two of Canberra’s most important boulevards but the current nature of the avenues does not reflect this. The eroding landscape and ageing assets are in need of renewal.

To address these issues, the Kings and Commonwealth Avenues Draft Design Strategy outlines the long-term vision and key principles to redefine the avenues and re-establish them as memorable and functional public spaces.

An avenue template has been developed to guide their development and evolution into the future.

Key proposals in the design strategy

• renew the streetscape character of the avenues to highlight them as destinations and unify the symbolic points of the National Triangle

• enforce high-quality design and a consistent palette of materials including lighting, signage and street furniture

• revitalise the avenues with unified street trees, shrubs and ground cover that ensure the character and sustainability of the landscape
• widen and enhance pedestrian and cycle connections along the full length of the avenues
• reconfigure the roadways to better integrate existing and future public transport systems, while giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists.

Public Consultation

The draft design strategy was shaped by a comprehensive Background and Issues Report completed for the renewal of Kings and Commonwealth Avenues in 2013. This also included issues raised during public consultation.

On 22 May 2017, the draft design strategy was released for public consultation on the NCA’s 'Have your Say' community engagement website. Consultation closed on 4 July 2017.