Canberra's city centre revitalisation is progressing with practical completion of Raising London Circuit, progress on Light Rail Stage 2A and upcoming site establishment and early works for the new lyric theatre.
New walking paths and dedicated cycle lanes on London Circuit between Constitution Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue will open this weekend. An additional 120 parking bays in the City Hill car park will also reopen later this week.
London Circuit east between Commonwealth Avenue and Constitution Avenue, including the new at-grade intersection between London Circuit East and Commonwealth Avenue, reopened to on-road traffic earlier this year.
Practical completion of the Raising London Project marks a key step towards bringing the city closer to the lake. Construction will continue on the western side between Commonwealth Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue as part of the Light Rail Stage 2A project, which will activate underutilised parts of City West and unlock opportunities for new mixed-use developments and public spaces.
Site establishment and early works for the new lyric theatre will begin from mid-October 2025 in preparation for construction. The theatre will be located at the northern end of the Canberra Theatre Centre, in the area currently occupied by the Theatre Lane car park. The theatre will host large-scale productions like musicals, ballet and opera — bringing performances to Canberra that currently bypass the city, enhancing Canberra's cultural offerings and delivering economic benefits across tourism, hospitality and accommodation sectors.
Site establishment and early works for the theatre include installation of hoarding and site sheds, which will require the Theatre Lane car park to close from mid-October 2025. Permit parking and accessible parking will be relocated to nearby car parks.
More than 5,000 car parking spaces remain available across the city, with free parking Wednesday to Sunday evenings from 5:30 pm at nearby public car parks. Additional car parks will also be available nearby, including 280 spaces in the newly opened Nangari Street car park and the re-opened spaces in the City Hill car park with the completion of Raising London Circuit.
As Canberra's city centre undergoes this once-in-a-generation transformation, the ACT Government is working closely with the Australian Government and private developers to minimise disruption and ensure the city remains open for business. A multi-agency Disruption Taskforce is coordinating efforts to manage construction impacts in the city.
These city-shaping projects will create jobs, attract investment and enrich community life. They are designed to support Canberra's growth, improve public transport and activate the city centre seven days a week.
