The milestones that shaped Ginninderry in 2024
2024 has been an exciting year for the staff and residents of Ginninderry.
Memorable milestones have continued to raise the bar for conservation, sustainability, and construction. The Ginninderry team continues to create a world-class community that delivers an exceptional quality of life for residents.
Ginninderry has been planned for the future, with around 30,000 people estimated to one day call it home. Consisting of four suburbs, the community will grow over 30 years, at the rate of three or four hundred homes a year to an eventual total of 11,500 homes.
In keeping with Ginninderry’s goals of sustainability, and innovation we’ve collated a list of some of 2024’s most significant milestones.
Projects
2024 was a very productive year for Ginninderry’s residential construction projects.
Here’s a run down of some of the highlights from the past 12 months:
- Construction began on the suburb of Macnamara which also welcomed its first official resident!
- In terms of property sales, 185 settlements were recorded – 45 of them Flexi-living homes; helping people get into the market who may have not otherwise been able to.
- Construction started on Ginninderry’s first preschool to Year 6 primary school and Early Childhood Education and Care Centre (ECEC) in Strathnairn.
- The Spofforth Street intersection was upgraded, prioritising east-west traffic on Drake Brockman Drive and Pro Hart Avenue.
- Keen hikers will be happy to hear that 10 kilometres of new walking tracks opened, with Canberra’s first swing bridges, and the development of tracks for hikers to gain access to the Murrumbidgee River for the first time in 20 years!
- The temporary dog park on Speldwinde Street in Straithnairn opened, a very memorable occasion for Ginninderry’s four-legged residents. You can check out some of the regular pooch profiles here.
Sustainability
A new chapter in wildlife conservation began this past year with the official opening of Ginninderry’s first wombat enclosure. The project is an exciting collaboration between Wombat Rescue, the Ginninderry Conservation Trust, and the Prague Zoo, with the First Lady of the Czech Republic, Mrs. Eva Pavlová, attending on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic and the Prague Zoo for the official opening in November.
The Ginninderry Research Showcase gave residents the opportunity to meet the researchers behind some of the science happening in their backyard. Over 30 researchers presented over 14 years worth of research, with everything from frogs to foxes, woodlands and public artworks.
“What makes Ginninderry different from a typical developer is we have done quite a lot of research into the ways we create spaces and the impact that might have on the natural environment.” explains Head of Sustainability and Community Development Jessica Stewart.
“All the research done at Ginninderry is fully publicly available…this event was all about bringing it to our residents and the public in a way that’s a bit more digestible and fun.”
Researchers from multiple institutions presented their work, including groups from the university of Canberra, the Australian National University, and landcare groups. We are currently working on an online Ginninderry Research Hub, so you’ll be able to view all the projects online in 2025.
People and Community
In 2024, SPARK, Ginninderry’s unique training and employment initiative provided free training places to assist people get back into the workplace. Meanwhile, 11 community events were hosted across the 12 months, with 4,285 people in attendance.
This year also marked the start of Ginninderry’s Inspire podcast. Ginninderry’s Head of Sustainability and Development Jessica Stewart spoke to some of Canberra’s most impressive community members, shining a spotlight on the myriad ways they are working to make life better for people and the planet. In its first series, Jess spoke to Founder and President of HelpingACT Mohammad Ali; Australian Botanical Artist Sharon Field; Director of Canberra Environment Centre Fiona Veikkanen; Ginninderry’s Arts & Cultural Planning Advisor Tom Gray; and Jo Farrell, the General Manager of Kane Constructions and 2024 ACT Australian of the Year.
The Ginninderry Inspire Festival returned, where thousands of Canberrans were informed, educated and entertained by local artists, musicians, and special guests. The Kite Festival also made a comeback with plenty of activities for the young, and young at heart. Ginninderry also hosted Easter in the Park, Family and Community Fun Day, the Great Ginninderry Bake Off, Repair Cafe’s, and multiple art exhibitions, community groups and resident workshops.
