The Gold Creek Homestead Precinct is a rural oasis in suburban Ngunnawal. Photo: File.
Lendlease’s proposed redevelopment of the historic Gold Creek Homestead precinct in Gungahlin will move into the planning stage after the signing of sale contracts.
The ACT Government named the national development group, which proposed 45 independent living units and a residential aged care facility, as the preferred tenderer for the site in March.
The deal also means the original Gold Creek Homestead, Stone Hut Kitchen and Slab Hut will be conserved and restored.
The Government says the surrounding gardens will also be maintained and it is expected that the grounds will be opened to the wider community for use.
Future uses and potential tenants will be explored through the ongoing community engagement process.
A public walking and cycling link through the site will connect nearby residents from Maray Place and the existing path along Gungahlin Drive to the Homestead precinct.
Housing and Suburban Development Minister Yvette Berry said the redevelopment was now locked in with the exchange of contracts.
“The Lendlease tender concept best captured the place and community values of the historic site. It will ensure Gold Creek Homestead’s preservation in the future and is an exciting start into the next chapter of its history,” Ms Berry said.
Senior Development Manager of Lendlease Retirement Living, Arabella Rohde said the deal was a great outcome for both residents of the adjacent Lendlease retirement village – The Grove, and the wider community.
“Our intention is to retain, restore and activate the original Gold Creek Homestead and ensure the design of the precinct respects its rich heritage,” she said.
The company was awarded the tender to redevelop the site after a nationally advertised sale process for the 4.8 hectare site.
About 8000 square metres of the site is home to the remnant Gold Creek Homestead dating back to 1860.
The Suburban Land Agency (SLA) ran the sale process – its second after a 2018 bid without any conditions provoked a campaign by the Gungahlin Community Council (GCC) and the National Trust that forced it off the market.
But this proposal ensured the heritage value was protected through a precinct development brief put together by a community panel, including the GCC.
Lendlease said in March that the homestead site would be transformed into an intergenerational precinct while restoring and activating the treasured homestead and celebrating its heritage.
The acquisition would allow it to deliver on its vision to create a precinct that builds on existing connections with the Ngunnawal community.
Now that sale negotiations have been completed, Lendlease will start the process of designing the precinct masterplan which will involve progressive community and stakeholder consultation
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 as well as the public footpath and cycle link through the site.
Gungahlin Community Council president Peter Elford said in March that the outcome was very welcome and the result of a quality community engagement by the SLA after the abortive first attempt to sell the site.
Acquired by the ACT Government in 1998, the precinct is bounded by Monty Place, Gungahlin Drive and neighbouring residences in Ngunnawal.
Original Article published by Ian Bushnell on The RiotACT.
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