More than 3000 homes will be built as the result of a decade-long negotiation to purchase the well-located site.
A former CSIRO site in Canberra’s north is set to be transformed into a new suburb after the ACT government acquired a 243-hectare site – set to be called Ginninderra East – in a move expected to unlock more than 3000 homes.
Nearly 3000 homes could be built across the 243-hectare site. Picture: Getty
Ginninderra Station has long been seen as one of the ACT’s most significant housing opportunities, with the land first identified by CSIRO as underutilised in 2011 and negotiations between the ACT and Commonwealth governments dating back to 2016.
The site, about 20 minutes north from central Canberra, is planned to include around 15% affordable, community and public housing. The purchase covers the eastern portion of the former Ginninderra research station, which spans roughly 700 hectares in total.
The acquisition forms part of the ACT’s broader push to lift housing supply, with the government targeting an increase of 30,000 new homes by 2030. A key part of that agenda is diversifying the types of housing delivered across the Territory, including through measures such as the “missing middle” reforms.
The move also comes as governments around the country look to release underutilised public land to help boost housing supply.
In early 2026, the federal government confirmed 68 Defence sites had been identified for divestment following a strategic review, while in Queensland the state launched its Land Activation Program to allow developers to identify and register interest in surplus government land suitable for housing.
The Property Council of Australia called the ACT acquisition a major win for Canberra’s future housing supply.
“This site represents a rare opportunity to masterplan a brand-new community within Canberra’s existing urban footprint, close to established infrastructure, services and employment centres,” Property Council ACT and Capital Region executive director Ashlee Berry said.
“Canberra needs more housing of every type and tenure, and this project provides an opportunity to increase supply across the market while supporting those most in need of affordable housing options."
Ms Berry said the next step would be close collaboration between government, industry and the community, alongside timely infrastructure planning, to ensure homes could be brought to market as quickly as possible.
“Securing the land is an important milestone, but it’s only the first step,” she said.
“The challenge now is turning this land acquisition into housing outcomes. That means timely planning, infrastructure coordination and a clear pathway to bringing homes to market.
“We need a genuine partnership between government, industry and the community to deliver a new precinct that sets the benchmark for housing choice, affordability and sustainability.”
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) said the agreement should help broaden the ACT’s housing mix, particularly at a time when housing choice remains a key issue across the Territory.
“The ACT needs a balanced pipeline of housing that includes detached homes, townhouses, terraces and apartments so that people have genuine housing choice,” said Geordan Murray, HIA executive director of the ACT and southern NSW.
The Greens, meanwhile, commented that the site should be judged not just on the number of homes delivered, but on the kind of community it creates.
“A great suburb is about more than housing. Canberrans need public transport, walking and cycling connections, schools, parks, community facilities and local services,” ACT Greens leader Jo Clay MLA said.
“We also want to see the community involved early in the planning process, so public and community housing become a defining feature of the new suburb rather than an afterthought.”
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