The Site
Block 21 Section 6 Phillip is located within the Woden Town Centre and is bounded by Callam Street, Launceston Street, Bowes Street and Matilda Street.
The Proposal
The proponent, Hellenic Club of Canberra, has a rich history in the ACT spanning over 40 years. The Club has grown from its modest beginnings serving the Greek community into a Club with over 50,000 members.
To ensure the financial sustainability of the Club, a new mixed-use development is proposed for the Club’s surplus land, which includes:
- commercial space
- hotel
- function and conferencing spaces
- food and beverage quarters
- entertainment precinct
- health and wellness facilities
- childcare centre
- community and cultural facilities
It is intended that the redevelopment will be staged with the likely timing to be clarified prior to submission of the Development Application (DA).
The majority of the proposed Hellenic Precinct is centred on the existing Hellenic Club surface carpark and has been designed to allow the existing club to operate throughout the redevelopment process.
The proposal includes three ‘Eat Street’s’ that feed into a central Agora (Greek name for gathering and marketplace) which will provide a diverse range of culinary options. The ‘Eat Streets’ activate the ground floor with pedestrian access points from each of the surrounding street frontages.
An auditorium will sit at the northern end of the site on levels two and three, which provides an opportunity for natural light to penetrate the space. It is intended to build this auditorium to international standards with the hope of attracting high quality performers and events to the Woden Town Centre.
A health and wellness facility is proposed underneath the auditorium on level one which will include a day spa, gym, physiotherapy and medical suites over an area of approximately 3,000m2.
A 12-storey hotel with 150 rooms is proposed immediately adjacent to the auditorium which will support the operation of the auditorium and the existing Club. Rooftop amenity is proposed including a guest pool.
To the south eastern corner of the site, a premium 16-storey office space is proposed with a childcare centre on level three to service tenants and the broader community.
The proposal includes a grand entrance via a porte-cochere off Bowes Street, allowing pick-up and drop-off for the Club’s auditorium, hotel and entertainment precinct.
A four-level basement carpark with approximately 800 parking spaces will accommodate the replacement of the existing surface carpark and additional spaces required by the proposed development. Entry will be from Matilda and Bowes Street with egress to Bowes Street.
The built form has been setback to allow for deep root tree planting and canopy cover along the parameter of the site. It is also proposed that the agora will have substantial landscaping to bring the outdoors in, for the uses of the site and the broader community.
Statutory Planning
The subject site is located within CZ2 – Business Zone, which permits the proposed uses.
While the details of the design are still being finalised, the overall concept is considered to be consistent with the various applicable Territory Plan Codes. The relevant Codes include the Phillip Precinct Code, the Commercial Zones Development Code, and the general codes where applicable.
The proposal responds well to the overall objectives of the CZ2 Business Zone, which are to:
a) Provide for office and business sites that are accessible to public transport and convenience retailing and services
b) Provide a diverse range of accommodation sizes and locations for offices close to the retail core
c) Encourage provision of convenient outlets for goods, services and facilities to meet the needs of the workforce
d) Create vibrant lively pedestrian routes and public spaces
e) Ensure a high quality urban environment through use of sustainable design and materials and maintain a high level of amenity for employees and the public
f) Promote active living and active travel
g) Provide a high quality public realm by facilitating active uses on ground floor level that connects with the wider open space, pedestrian and cycle networks to promote active travel and active living.
h) Encourage an attractive, safe, well-lit, and connected pedestrian environment with convenient access to public transport
Architectural Plans
Plans are available for download via the below link. Please note that these plans are a work in progress and may be subject to minor changes following this consultation process and through the detailed design development stage.
National Capital Design Review Panel Advice
As per the Pre-DA Community Consultation Guidelines, developments that are required to consult with the NCDRP must undertake this prior to Pre-DA community consultation.
The NCDRP comments must also be presented to the community during consultation.
Please click on the link below to view panels advice.
Project Timeframe
Purdon Planning is aiming to lodge a DA for this proposal in early September 2022. The timeframe for issue of a development decision is unknown at this point.
Opportunities for Community Input/Feedback
Purdon Planning will be undertaking community consultation on behalf of the Proponent, commencing Monday, 8 August until Sunday, 28 August 2022.
Online Session 1:
- Thursday, 11 August 2022, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Online Session 2:
- Wednesday, 17 August 2022 5:30 – 7:30pm.
Please register your interest via email to engage@purdon.com.au, and a meeting link to the session will be emailed to you the day prior to the session.
The project team will also be contacting various community groups to ensure their members and other interested persons have the opportunity to provide comments prior to the lodgement of a Development Application.
Further Information
If you would like further information or wish to discuss the Proposal, please do not hesitate to contact Purdon Planning on:
(02) 6257 1511
Or use the ‘have your say’ form below to provide comments.