The ACT Government is inviting Canberrans to help shape the future of the Southern Gateway corridor, with the release of the draft Southern Gateway Planning and Design Framework.
The Southern Gateway corridor stretches from Parliament House to Beasley St in Torrens and Farrer and includes key centres such as Deakin, Curtin, Mawson and the Woden town centre.
The draft Framework sets a long-term vision for the corridor to 2050 and beyond to guide the sustainable growth of these communities through a transit-oriented development approach along the future Light Rail Stage 2B line and the existing rapid bus corridor.
The Framework identifies opportunities for more housing close to public transport, jobs, services and local centres while strengthening community infrastructure, green spaces and employment precincts.
It proposes mid-rise housing closest to rapid transport stops and shopping centres, stepping down to existing low-rise housing in the suburbs. High-rise housing is reserved for the Woden town centre and higher density housing for north Curtin.
Transit-oriented development is already being implemented in Canberra's Northern Gateway, and is a proven model used in cities worldwide to help manage growth, limit urban sprawl and protect quality of life.
The government wants to hear the views of the community about their vision for the corridor – the places people value, how development should be planned, community and sporting facilities, public and active transport connections, public spaces and how the area can continue to support jobs and services.
This feedback will inform amendments to the Territory Plan, further precinct design in the corridor and infrastructure planning.
Alongside the draft Framework, the ACT Government is releasing a supporting Southern Gateway Community Needs Assessment for consultation to help identify the community, sport and recreational facilities that will be needed to support future growth. This snapshot has been developed based on the findings of the ACT Community, Sport and Recreational Facilities Needs Assessment and Social Infrastructure audit, commissioned by ACT Government in 2024.
Community engagement is open on the YourSay Conversations website from 22 July to 15 September 2026 and a range of events will be held for community to participate in.
