![\"Ginninderra](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img-6202-1200x854.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The former Ginninderra CSIRO site. The land deal could eventually furnish 3000 homes. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.<\/p>\n
A full site survey of Ginninderra East, the former CSIRO land in Canberra\u2019s north, is underway, four months after the ACT Government finally clinched a $385 million deal with the Commonwealth for the 243 hectare site.<\/p>\n
But the first subdivision approval is not expected until 2030.<\/p>\n
The July purchase was welcomed by the property industry and community housing providers. More than 3000 dwellings, 15 per cent of which will be affordable, community and public homes, could be built on the site, which amounted to a little more than a third of the entire 700 ha CSIRO site on the Barton Highway.<\/p>\n
But first the Suburban Land Agency (SLA) needs to know just what can be done with the land.<\/p>\n
The SLA has contracted Veris Australia to do the survey work, which is due to be completed in four months.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said the current investigations, studies and surveys were helping to build an understanding of the site and inform future planning decisions, including how many homes and what type the land could sustain.<\/p>\n
A mapping report would record features such as ground levels, vegetation, drainage and existing site conditions, ensuring future planning was based on accurate information.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis work forms part of an extensive due diligence program which also includes ecology, heritage and tree assessments,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe combined outputs of all the due diligence work will enable SLA to more accurately assess yield options and dwelling yields.\u201d<\/p>\n
Surveyors will identify, locate and physically tag trees across the site but a separate contract had been let for the detailed assessment of individual trees, which will help the SLA determine how retained trees are incorporated into the future planning and design of the estate.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/CSIRO-Ginninderra-map.jpg.png\")
<\/p>\n
Ginninderra East is the smaller bottom section. Image: CSIRO.<\/p>\n
The SLA spokesperson said the next major step was preparation and approval of a Territory Plan amendment, which would change the site from its current zoning to allow for future urban development.<\/p>\n
That was expected to take about 18 to 24 months and would run alongside the necessary environmental assessment and approval processes.<\/p>\n
Once the Territory Plan amendment was completed, detailed planning for individual neighbourhoods could occur through a Subdivision Design Application process.<\/p>\n
This process considered the layout of roads, parks, community facilities, open space and future residential and commercial blocks and was expected to take a further 12 to 18 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cSubject to the required approvals being obtained, development would occur in stages, with the first subdivision approvals currently anticipated in the first half of 2030,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cConstruction of the initial subdivision works could commence following those approvals, with residential, commercial and community land released progressively over time as the new suburb is developed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The SLA was yet to decide on its land release approach.<\/p>\n
The contract is worth almost $250,000.<\/p>\n