Have your say on Westfield’s bold vision for Belconnen Mall

A vision for a 21st-century mall in Belconnen has been unveiled and Canberra residents are invited to have their say as they take a sneak peek at the future development. Take our poll.

Westfield Belconnen artist impressions of proposed plans for a revamp of Belconnen Mall. Picture: Supplied

Bold new plans for the beloved Belconnen Mall have been unveiled and Westfield is calling on Canberrans to offer feedback.

The artworks depict a multi-level shopping mall of the future, with ground level pedestrian spaces decked out in greenery.

While no specific plans have been outlined, the artist renderings of the new-and-improved future mall suggests the current building which was opened in 1978, would need to be demolished.

The artist impressions also suggest Westfield is seeking to build a building exceeding four stories, which would require changes to the ACT Government’s Territory Plan in order to go ahead.

Additionally, any changes to the Territory Plan would need to abide the National Capital Authority’s National Capital Plan — which aims to ensure development and planning in Canberra and the ACT is done so with “national significance” in mind.

Westfield Belconnen artist impressions depicting proposed height for a revamp of Belconnen Mall. Picture: Supplied

“Knowing that the Belconnen population will grow by an expected 13 per cent … the town centre will need to offer more for the people who will visit, learn, work, dine, shop and live there in the future,” Westfield’s website said.

“The first step in realising our vision is to seek feedback and input from our customers and the community on what is important to you in your town centre of the future.”

Belconnen Community Council chairman Lachlan Butler said the organisation, which aims to represent the interests of Belconnen residents, supported the consultation process.

“At this stage, all we have is artist impressions on some of the ideas that could be possible in this development,” Mr Butler said.

“This isn’t a bad thing — inviting community comments and feedback at such an early stage allows the developer to let the needs and interests of the community influence the plan.”

Mr Butler said BCC had noticed a lot of “excitement” within the local community to have a 21st century mall in the town centre.

“(The project) is arguably overdue,” he said.

“This will only become more important as the Belconnen district grows and more people access the facilities and services in the town centre.

“If this development is done well, it could improve the options and accessibility of shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as the quality and connectivity of surrounding green space and transport.”

Yet Mr Butler said he wanted to ensure any new development would prioritise the people of Belconnen above profit.

“There is a clear desire from Westfield to exceed four storeys, and if this occurs, we want to ensure that it isn‘t just another tower or an attempt to sell residential units,” Mr Butler said.

“We want a redeveloped Westfield that services everyone’s purpose, and improves the surrounding environment and town centre.”

Aerial view artist impressions of a proposed development of Belconnen mall. Picture: Supplied

Greater Canberra convener Howard Maclean describes the redevelopment proposal as a “huge opportunity” to make a better town centre for Belconnen.

“As Belconnen has grown, it deserves a modern, people-centric, walkable core, and the concept art for the new Westfield points in that direction,” Mr Maclean said.

“The redevelopment would be a major win for Canberra and for Belconnen.

“(It would create) more housing to combat the housing crisis, creating more infill to preserve our habitat reduce emissions, and creating more services and amenities for residents of the town centre and Belconnen more broadly, while revitalising the town centre to be more people friendly space to be in.”

Mr Maclean described Belconnen Mall as a “shopping fortress” and said it was “aggressively disconnected” from other facilities in the district.

Belconnen Mall in 2021. Picture: Google Street View

“We can do so much better for Belco, and we should actively support efforts to improve it,” he said.

Mr Maclean said he and Greater Canberra were in support of Westfield’s push to build the new centre at a similar height to nearby apartment buildings.

“It will allow the creation of inexpensive housing directly above one of Canberra’s commercial and service cores, at a major nexus in our public transport network, reducing emissions and preventing habitat loss.

“It would give thousands of Canberrans the opportunity to live a three-minute walk away from their local supermarket, favourite cafe or pub, and other services.”

Belconnen Mall when it first opened in 1978. Picture National Australian Archives

Mr Maclean said he was not aware of any inconsistency between Westfield’s ambitions and the national capital plan, and said “if such inconsistency does exist, the plan should be changed to allow it”.

“These plans exist to facilitate good outcomes, not to prevent them,” he said.

Mr Maclean also said the final design would be a “compromise” between various needs and interests, with some people possibly disappointed if “ their preferred vision wasn’t exactly realised”.

“We shouldn’t let ‘perfect’ be the enemy of ‘good’, and a redevelopment of Belconnen Westfield stands to be very good indeed,” Mr Maclean said.

To have your say.

Westfield is running a survey for community members to give their feedback. The survey will close on November 30. Click here to access the survey.

Westfield will also run consultation sessions at Belconnen mall on the following dates:

• Thursday October 27 from 9am – 12pm
• Saturday November 5 from 11am – 2pm
• Sunday November 6 from 11am – 2pm
• Sunday November 13 from 9am – 12pm
• Friday November 18 from 2pm – 5pm

• Scentre Group was contacted for comment.