First Stage of ACT’s ‘Tradies’ Plans for Dickson Go Public

Plans for the two-building first stage of a mixed-use development in Canberra’s Dickson have opened for comment.

The stage is part of the Canberra Tradesmen’s Union Club masterplan for 645 apartments on its 1.9ha site in the suburb.

It proposes the demolition of existing structures to make way for a six-storey building and a 13-storey tower with 10 commercial tenancies at ground level and 246 apartments above.

Three basement levels would provide car parking, while communal amenities, landscaping and streetscape upgrades are also included.

The club plans to develop its masterplan in stages so it can keep trading during construction. Under Stage 1A, now filed, buildings A and B would rise while a nursery, gymnasium and squash courts would be demolished.

Stage 1B includes creek naturalisation works while subsequent stages would deliver the remaining residential buildings and the completion of the central park.

The site spans several blocks in Section 34, including land at 75 Dickson Place, within walking distance of the suburb’s shops, restaurants and light rail connections.

▲ A rendering of plans by Stewart Architecture for the site at Dickson. The masterplan envisions seven buildings including a new trades union club.

Dickson has emerged as one of Canberra’s most active urban renewal areas, with higher-density housing and commercial activity clustered around the town centre.

The proposal would significantly increase residential density in the suburb and contribute to ongoing efforts to transform Dickson into a more connected, vibrant precinct.

Community interest in the proposal has focused on the impact on the Dickson Squash Club courts, which have operated on the site since 1969 and host competitions, training programs and junior development activities.

Concerns about losing the long-standing sporting facility, which has been a hub for the territory’s squash community for decades, have been made known via media and social media and will likely be a focus of much of the comments around the plan.

The ACT planning authority will assess the application following the submission period, which is due to end on March 23.