Ginninderry Community - Strathnairn

Strathnairn is a suburb of approximately 1.17 square kilometres (117 hectares) within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), forming part of the Belconnen district of Canberra, located 32km South of Queanbeyan, 16km West of Canberra.

Named after the historical 1934 Strathnairn Homestead located in the suburb, the suburb was officially gazetted in 2016. It forms part of the West Belconnen / Parkwood cross-border development in the ACT and the broader plan for sustainable urban growth within the Belconnen District. The area previously consisted of open rural land and has been transformed into a modern residential community.

Strathnairn is a suburb located within the larger Ginninderry development; a master-planned community designed with sustainability in mind. The area was originally part of a 5,000-acre land grant awarded to explorer Charles Sturt, though this was later reduced to 1,126 acres. Some of the land was eventually leased to the Blue Folk arts group.

The suburb boundary is located along Stockdill Drive to the east and Murrumbidgee Rivier and property boundaries to the south. Property boundaries and Bob Whan Street to the west, with the Burns Golf Club and property boundary providing the boundary to the north. 

The Stockdill Drive provides access to the entire suburb, providing the north-south connection along the eastern boundary.  Pro Hart Avenue, Asimus Avenue Way provide east and west connections from Stockdill Drive to provide local road networks throughout Strathnairn.

The northern portion of the suburb is urban mixed density residential area with parks and a café. The southern and mid portions of the suburb are cattle grazing and not under urban residential development. Yoornie way marks the boundary of the urban redevelopment and remaining part of the suburb.

Strathnairn, ACT's Government Strategy for Growth
The district strategies are a key part of the ACT’s planning framework, providing a localised approach to managing growth and change through to 2038 and beyond to 2050. Aligned with the ACT Planning Strategy 2018, they aim to support Canberra’s evolution as a sustainable, competitive, and equitable city. Each strategy focuses on one of Canberra’s nine districts and identifies where and how future growth could occur, considering proximity to services, jobs, and transport. They also assess what infrastructure and community facilities will be needed to support this change.

Importantly, district strategies link city-wide planning, policies, and legislation to local outcomes through the Territory Plan. They serve several essential functions: setting long-term directions for each district; guiding the local implementation of the ACT Planning Strategy; identifying suitable areas for growth; and informing decisions about rezoning, precinct planning, major developments, and infrastructure delivery. The strategies also help align efforts across sectors such as transport, climate resilience, and living infrastructure. Any proposed amendments to the Territory Plan must align with the relevant district strategy, particularly in relation to the five key planning drivers and initiatives.

There are nine District Strategies:

• Belconnen 
• East Canberra 
• Gungahlin 
• Inner North and City
• Inner South 
• Molonglo Valley
• Tuggeranong 
• Weston Creek 
• Woden 

Strathnairn's Belconnen District Strategy 2023

Belconnen District Strategy was developed by the ACT Government in partnership with the community and the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD). It reflects the views of residents, workers, and regular visitors to the Belconnen District, shaped through a comprehensive engagement process that began in 2019. District planning workshops held in 2021, along with public consultation on the draft strategy between November 2022 and March 2023, helped ensure the final document was informed by local priorities. The strategy is also underpinned by technical studies carried out by the EPSDD, ensuring it is grounded in evidence.

The Belconnen District Strategy forms part of a broader planning framework across Canberra, where each of the city’s nine districts has its own strategy to guide growth through to 2038 and beyond to 2050. These strategies aim to preserve Canberra’s liveability, sustainability, and competitiveness amid rapid population growth.

No more than 30% of new development will occur on greenfield land, with the remaining 70% or more accommodated within existing suburbs through gradual, well-planned density increases. The strategies identify areas with potential for change, but further detailed investigations and continued community consultation will be needed before major decisions are made. This strategic approach helps ensure that Canberrans maintain access to essential services, transport, employment, education, health care, and green spaces as the city evolves.

Strathnairn – The Ginninderry Joint Venture: A Sustainable Growth Project
The Ginninderry Joint Venture is a landmark urban development initiative aimed at expanding Canberra’s housing supply while promoting sustainable living. Since its launch in 2016, the project has been transforming the western edge of Belconnen, stretching into neighbouring New South Wales. This long-term collaboration between the ACT Government and Riverview Developments (ACT) combines public oversight with private sector efficiency to create a well-planned, future-ready community.

Strathnairn – How the Partnership Works
The venture operates under a structured commercial agreement that defines the roles of both the ACT Government and Riverview Developments. This ensures that planning, funding, and construction align with both community needs and commercial feasibility. By working together, the partners aim to deliver infrastructure, housing, and amenities that meet high standards of sustainability and liveability.

Strathnairn – A Model for Future Developments
The Ginninderry Joint Venture represents a forward-thinking approach to urban growth. By balancing housing demand with environmental responsibility, it sets a benchmark for future developments in the region. As construction progresses, Ginninderry is poised to become a thriving, eco-conscious community that enhances Canberra’s liveability for decades to come.

https://youtu.be/GMph6k941V8

Strathnairn – About the Ginninderry Community

Ginninderry is a master-planned community supporting Canberra’s growth, spanning from Holt and Macgregor in the ACT to the Yass Valley in NSW. Positioned between the Murrumbidgee River and Ginninderra Creek, it will deliver 11,500 homes (6,500 in the ACT) upon completion. Awarded a 6-Star Green Star rating, the development exemplifies sustainable, liveable design.

Residents will enjoy schools, shopping centres, medical services, and community facilities, all minutes from Belconnen Town Centre. This carefully planned community combines urban convenience with its stunning natural setting, offering an environmentally conscious lifestyle for future generations.

Strathnairn Suburb Development

Strathnairn is the first residential suburb within the Ginninderry masterplan, located in the Belconnen District of Canberra, ACT. It forms the initial stage of the project's western expansion in Canberra.

Developed by the Suburban Land Agency (SLA) and Riverview Developments (ACT), it forms part of Canberra’s westward urban expansion and is designed to support diverse, sustainable, and connected communities. When complete, Strathnairn is expected to house thousands of residents across a mix of housing types and community facilities, integrated with open space, active transport networks, and essential infrastructure.

Strathnairn Development Details

Location & Planning

• First residential suburb in the Ginninderry masterplan (ACT portion)
• Adjacent to Macgregor, northwest Belconnen
• Total area: 117 hectares (1.17 km²)
• 60 hectares residential
• 57 hectares conservation

Housing & Density

• 1,200+ residential lots (mix of single & multi-dwelling)
• Target density: 15–25 dwellings per hectare (higher than later NSW stages)
• Includes affordable housing (10% minimum under ACT policy) Sustainability & Ratings
• 6-Star Green Star – Communities certified
• All homes required to meet minimum 7-Star NatHERS energy efficiency.
• Electric vehicle-ready infrastructure

Infrastructure & Amenities

• Local shopping village (convenience retail, cafes)
• 3 neighborhood parks + 1 district park
• 10km+ of walking/cycling trails (linked to Murrumbidgee River Corridor)
• Future primary school site (ACT Education Directorate reserved land)
• Stormwater harvesting for irrigation

Environmental Features

• Protects endangered Box-Gum Woodland
• 20m+ riparian buffers along watercourses
• Wildlife corridors integrated into design

Timeline & Progress

• Stage 1–3 completed (2018–2022)
• Stages 4–6 underway (2023–2026)
• Full build-out expected by 2028

Governance

• Subject to ACT Planning Act requirements
• Developer contributions fund community infrastructure
• Jointly managed by Riverview Projects & ACT Government

Strathnairn's Environmental Placemaking Award

Strathnairn, the flagship suburb of the innovative Ginninderry development, has been awarded the prestigious Environmental Placemaking Award at the 2025 Place Leaders Asia Pacific Awards. This accolade recognises outstanding efforts in embedding sustainability, climate resilience, and ecological value into place planning, design, and activation.

As the ACT’s first all-electric suburb, Strathnairn exemplifies the power of thoughtful planning and genuine community engagement. A standout feature of the development is its 200-hectare Conservation Corridor—co-managed by residents and a dedicated trust—which fosters a strong, collaborative relationship between the community and its natural surroundings.

Strathnairn's Suburb Summary