National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 97 – Block 7 Section 4 Yarralumla (former Australian Forestry School)

The National Capital Authority (NCA) has released National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 97 – Block 7 Section 4 Yarralumla (former Australian Forestry School) (DA97) for public consultation.

The draft amendment

Key changes to the National Capital Plan (the Plan) proposed by DA97 include:

• A variation to the land use policy of Block 7 Section 4 Yarralumla from ‘Community Facility’ to a ‘mixed-use’ zoning allowing residential, social housing, aged care, commercial accommodation, community facility and ancillary commercial uses. This will facilitate redevelopment of the site and adaptive re-use of heritage buildings on the site.

• The introduction of detailed conditions of planning, design and development for the site to guide future development. Detailed conditions will address matters such as:
  • building height and setback
  • development footprint
  • landscape
  • residential apartment design
  • environmental performance
  • parking, access and movement.

Background

Block 7 Section 4 Yarralumla (the site) is owned by Gunyar Pty Ltd (Gunyar) as trustee for the Gunyar ACT Properties Trust. The Shepherd Foundation is a charitable institution that supports children with hearing loss learn to listen and speak, and is beneficiary of the Trust.

On 1 April 2021, Oakstand Pty Ltd (Oakstand) of behalf of Gunyar advised the NCA that they would seek an amendment to the Plan to change the land use policy of Block 7 Section 4 Yarralumla to allow for a mix of uses on the site. The NCA conducted an initial community engagement process to seek the views of key stakeholders and gauge initial community views on the redevelopment proposal, throughout August and September 2021.

In October 2021, the NCA Board considered the outcomes of the initial community engagement process. As a result of this consideration, the proponent was invited to present a revised scheme that reduced the building scale and which was consistent with nearby developments (the old Canberra Brickworks). The proponent was also asked to reconsider the mix of land uses.

In May 2022, the proponent submitted a revised development proposition and request to amend the Plan. The plans submitted at this time showed development limited to not more than 3 storeys (plus attic, consistent with the direction provided by the NCA.

In October 2022, the NCA Board agreed that a draft amendment to the Plan could be prepared for Block 7 Section 4 Yarralumla to:

• amend the land use from Community Facility to a mixed-use policy permitting residential commercial accommodation, community facility, and ancillary commercial uses
• introduce detailed conditions of planning, design and development for the site including limiting building heights to no greater than 3 storeys plus attic and applying maximum limits on ancillary commercial and accommodation uses.

In June 2023, representatives of the Yarralumla Residents Association (YRA) presented to the NCA Board their views concerning the proposed redevelopment of the site. Oakstand subsequently presented to the NCA Board at their meeting in August 2023 to address concerns of the YRA.

In October 2023, the NCA Board agreed to release DA97 for public consultation.

The site

Block 7 Section 4 Yarralumla is a crescent-shaped parcel of land, around 10.9 hectares in size, located on the western edge of the suburb of Yarralumla. The site abuts the Royal Canberra Golf Club and is in close proximity to the Yarralumla shops. The Old Canberra Brickworks, to be redeveloped predominantly for residential purposes, is located to the south-west of the site. Westridge House is located to the north of the site. The figure below shows the site in this context.

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Satellite View

Since establishment of Canberra as the National Capital, the site has been used for a number of uses, associated generally with forestry and related scientific research. From 1927 to 1968, the Australian Forestry School operated from the site, and from 1968 to 1975 the site was utilised by the Forestry and Timber Bureau.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) acquired the site in 1975 and established a Division of Forest Research. This became the Division of Forestry and Forest products in 1988, the Division of Forestry in 1991 and in 1996 the Division of Forestry and Forest products. The site was sold in 2002 and leased back to CSIRO for 20 years. 

CSIRO is currently in the process of consolidating facilities in Canberra and vacated the Yarralumla site in 2022. Small private sector offices continue to occupy some buildings on the site.

Effect of the draft amendment

Policy proposed by DA97 is intended to:

• Ensure all development contributes to the natural character and landscape setting of the site.
• Retain and strengthen the site’s landscape setting, while promoting new tree planting and species that will enrich the site’s beauty, shade, shelter, and enhance the built environment.
• Ensure development exhibits design excellence in architecture, landscape architecture and urban design.
• Conserve the heritage significance of listed buildings including areas of associated fabric, settings, and views.
• Maintain public pedestrian access through the site and maintain access to the adjoining public playing field.
• Encourage sustainability as a base requirement for all new buildings and in landscape design and site management.

These points are proposed to be included as objectives for the site in the Plan. The proposed detailed provisions of planning, design and development contain provisions that if met, will support achievement of the objectives.

Site masterplan

The drawing below illustrates the indicative site masterplan.

DA97 proposes the following key planning and design policies:

• Maximum permitted building height of no more than 3 storeys plus attic. Basements are permitted in addition to this, provided the basement is not more than 1.2 metres above datum ground level.
• The distinctive and high-quality landscape setting and character of the site must be retained.
• A minimum of 60% of the site must be set aside for open space. A minimum of 45% of the site is to accommodate deep soil zones for retaining existing trees and renewal of landscaping across the site.
• Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is encouraged, and development must respond to the site’s heritage context in terms of associated fabric, setting, curtilage, and views.
• Residential apartment design must meet minimum standards concerning environmental performance (including solar access and natural cross ventilation), apartment size, and private open spaces.
• Parking must meet recognised ACT Government standards, including in relation to cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Development proposals must demonstrate that buildings will be Electric Vehicle (EV) ready and accommodate EV charging infrastructure.   

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Site Masterplan - National Capital Plan 97

Further details regarding all changes proposed by DA97 can be found in the Draft Amendment document available to download below. Frequently Asked Questions are also available to download below.

Public consultation

Options to get involved or obtain further information include:

• Attend a public drop-in session on:
  • Saturday 25 November 2023 between 9am and 10.30am, at Forestry House, 2 Wilf Crane Crescent, Yarralumla 2600
  • Wednesday 29 November 2023 between 4.30pm and 6pm, at Forestry House, 2 Wilf Crane Crescent, Yarralumla 2600

Please indicate your attendance by emailing draft.amendment@nca.gov.au.

• Check the NCA’s social media channels for updates about the consultation process.
• Send your questions to draft.amendment@nca.gov.au. NCA officers will provide a written response, alternatively please indicate if would like an NCA officer to call you to discuss your questions.

Submissions and feedback

The NCA welcomes written comments on DA97 from interested parties as part of the consultation process.

Submissions to DA97 can be:

• Emailed to draft.amendment@nca.gov.au
• mailed to Chief Planner, National Capital Authority, GPO Box 373, Canberra ACT 2601
• Delivered to National Capital Authority, Ground Floor, Treasury Building, King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600

Submissions are invited until Friday 22 December 2023.

Please note that the NCA will also be considering community comment made via social media and other online platforms

Further information

For further information on DA97 please email draft.amendment@nca.gov.au