What the reimagined Gold Creek Homestead Precinct will look like

Lendlease will transform the historic Gold Creek Homestead Precinct in Ngunnawal with a three-storey, 100-bed aged care facility and 45 single-level residential villas while maintaining the heritage core, according to a master plan submitted for public consultation ahead of a development application.

The ACT Government selected Lendlease after a nationally advertised sale process.

The property giant has already been consulting the community on its plans for the 4.8-hectare site. Last month Lendlease tweaked its plans based on the feedback, and now it has moved to the next phase before it submits a development application.

As part of the sale deal, Lendlease is required to conserve and restore the original Gold Creek Homestead, Stone Hut Kitchen and Slab Hut.

It says the proposed development integrates with the existing Gold Creek Homestead buildings, which will be adapted for reuse, and provides links and connections between buildings and public spaces.

The master plan shows four precincts – the Aged Care Precinct near the site entrance and alongside Gungahlin Drive, a Central Precinct where the heritage buildings are located, and the Hilltops and Western Precincts where the villas will be built.

Lendlease says a proposed new entry drive from Monty Place echoes the alignment of the original driveway and road from the west, bringing people to the front of the Homestead and slab hut.

The heritage restoration area will be the heart of the Central Precinct, including a Homestead green and a wellness activity area. The existing windmill will also be restored.

The dilapidated later additions to the heritage building will be removed to provide a safe and functional space.

Lendlease has partnered with Arcare to deliver the aged care facility, which will offer a full range of services, including independent living, and nursing and dementia care.

The 45 new villas will be part of the established Grove Ngunnawal Retirement Village and look out over new shared green spaces and the retained Homestead and gardens.

They will also include a minimum of 16 square metres of private open space and achieve a minimum of three hours of direct sunlight between 9 am and 3 pm on the winter solstice.

The plans include a village common and community garden and orchard.

A lower ground car park for the aged care facility will have 64 spaces and 13 external spaces, and there is visitor parking along the entry avenue (18 spaces) and for the villas (six spaces).

The master plan also includes a new pedestrian and cycling path network throughout the site, and a walkway between Maray Place and Gungahlin Drive, as required under the sale deed.

Design changes last month included more parking and improvements to the street layout and Gungahlin Drive intersection.

Lendlease said a range of measures were also planned to enhance safety and security, including appropriate fencing, building security, lighting and passive surveillance.

There are also plans for an enlarged water feature with natural edging.

Engagement is continuing with First Nations representatives, which has already led to a more natural draft design for a bush tucker garden and the introduction of a yarning circle.

Lendlease is planning to lodge a development application this year and is looking to complete the project in 2024.

Minimum requirements will apply to the redevelopment of the site, such as a 5 Green Star Communities Rating, 30 per cent tree canopy cover, and 30 per cent permeable surface cover.

Acquired by the ACT Government in 1998, the precinct is bounded by Monty Place, Gungahlin Drive and neighbouring residences in Ngunnawal.

Consultation closes on 25 February.

To learn more, visit the Gold Creek Homestead Precinct website.

Original Article published by Ian Bushnell on Riotact.