Planning State of Play

This is a snapshot of the WCA perspective on the current state of play for major projects in Watson.

Please let us know if you come across a planning issue, especially for these large sites. The WCA is happy to lobby etc, but we need your insight.

Proposed Territory Plan Amendment DPA-08

Update: Thoroughbred Park and ACT Government City and Environment Directorate representatives will attend the WCA meeting at YWAM on 11 November 2025 at 7:30pm. Please come along if you would like to hear more.

On 17 October 2025 the ACT Government Territory Planning Authority released draft major plan amendment 08 – Thoroughbred Park Precinct (DPA-08) for public comment.

The Territory Planning Authority has initiated a major plan amendment to guide the integrated development of up to 6,200 homes at the Thoroughbred Park precinct in Lyneham. The precinct covers around 100 hectares, including multiple blocks near EPIC bounded by the Federal Highway, Barton Highway, Flemington Road, and Randwick Road.
The changes proposed through DPA-08 supports transport oriented development that includes a diverse and sustainable housing precinct close to light rail, shops, and jobs.
Increasing housing density along transport corridors, supports better use of existing infrastructure and encourages active travel. This will create a more connected, well-serviced and accessible neighbourhood.
The plan will help create medium to high density homes, shops, and community spaces, while retaining key recreation assets such as the racecourse.
Draft major plan amendment DPA-08 proposes a future urban area overlay over part of the precinct to identify where future subdivision is likely. This will encourage the staged delivery of development, supporting the future growth of the ACT over the better part of a decade.
It also introduces assessment outcomes and requirements to ensure new buildings are safe, well-designed, and consistent with the character of the precinct. This includes technical guidance to support infrastructure, design and sustainable development.
The Thoroughbred Park precinct was identified as a category 2 change area through the Inner North and City District Strategy as it provides an opportunity to create well-connected homes and local amenities right near the city centre.

More information is available on the ACT Planning website.

The community is invited to provide feedback on DPA-08 from 17 October 2025 to 1 December 2025 through the following options:

Online: Submit via SmartForm
Email: terrplan@act.gov.au
Post:
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601
In Person:
Access Canberra Building Services Shopfront
8 Darling Street, Mitchell ACT 2911

A consultation report which summaries key themes raised by the community will be published after the notification period closes.

The Watson Community Association is consulting with our Downer counterparts and will be preparing a submission. We encourage Watson residents to have their say individually, and also to send through any comments you would like considered for inclusion in our WCA response.

Academy of Interactive Entertainment DA-1

The Academy of Interactive Entertainment has submitted a Development Application for the old Watson High School Site on the corner of Windeyer Street and Phillip Avenue.

It's open for comment until 7 November.

The project description in the DA is as follows:

The proposal is for Stage one of a three stage campus renewal program for the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE), located in Watson, Canberra. AIE is a not-for-profit, specialist educator in games, animation, film and VFX that has been established on the site since 1996.

Approval is also being sought for a lease variation to GFA clause 3 (c) of the Crown Lease from minimum of 14,000 sqm to 4,000 sqm. This variation will enable AIE to reduce the originally proposed height of the main AIE campus building to two storeys. It will also enable the incorporation of on-site parking to meet access needs and required vehicle movement. These changes facilitate AIE being able to still meet its operational needs whilst achieving the outcomes detailed in the approved future intentions plan which was revised in March 2025.

Stage one construction is for a higher education campus to bring together games and film education; research opportunities and collaborative screen productions.

The stage one development includes associated electrical substation, internal road, landscaping, carparking, demolition works and new driveway verge crossing.

Buildings include:
1. AIE building (double storey, 8.5 m side height with articulation parapet to 11.25 m at highest point).
2. Student Production Hall (single storey, 10.6 m side height and 15 m to apex of roof).
3. Student Production Facilities and Workshop (single storey, 6.3 m side height on workshop side and 9.2 m to apex of roof. 3.6 m side height on facilities side).

Demolition works include:
Removal of the existing asphalt tennis courts
Removal of the existing storm water line
Proposed removal of trees as per the Tree Management Plan.

New Driveway:
There is a proposed widening of the existing driveway located opposite Bradfield Street Downer.
It is proposed that the development of the Stage one buildings will be completed by June 2027, however, early occupation will be sought for the student production hall and workshop to match immediate needs for staff and students currently located in the adjacent Canberra Technology Park.

The new facility will be purpose built to provide:
• Technology intensive learning spaces
• Facilities supporting student life and wellbeing,
• Film production amenities,
• Sound stage,
• Workshop; and
• A landscaped boulevard that incorporates Ngunnawal cultural values, sensory engagement and native plant use.

The AIE Campus is located adjacent to the Inner North Play Space and is only 800 m from the light rail. The future route of the Garden City cycleway will also flow past the eastern boundary improving future active travel routes to the campus. The development will contribute towards greater economic, social and cultural activation of the Watson Local
Centre and surrounding innovation and education precinct.

All of the files are available at the ACT Planning website. The DA is open for comment until 7 November.

You can read a digested version on Region Media here:

https://region.com.au/academy-calls-action-on-expansion-plan-with-da-for-watson-campus/914471/

Proposed Territory Plan Amendment DPA-09

Update: WCA's submission on this proposal was lodged on 4 November 2025. You can read the submission at this link. Thank you to Watsonians who provided comments.

On 22 September 2025 the ACT Government Territory Planning Authority released draft major plan amendment 09 – Northern Gateway (DPA-09) for public comment.

DPA-09 proposes to amend the Territory Plan Map to rezone parts of Watson and Downer from Residential RZ1 suburban zone to Residential RZ3 and RZ4 zones to enable additional housing supply in well-located areas. DPA-09 also proposes amendments to the Inner North and City District Policy to set maximum building heights in the rezoned areas.

The public consultation period opened on 22 September and will close on 4 November 2025. Written submissions can be made via the Smartform that provides step by step guidance on required information for submissions.

Region media's article on the draft is here.

A pdf of the full draft is available here.