A former medical centre in the Canberra suburb of Belconnen designed by Ken Woolley is facing demolition under an ACT government plan to replace it with a mixed-use development.
The former Kippax Health Centre was the first health centre for west Belconnen. Residents are opposing the demolition as part of the expansion over Holt District Playing Field, which is intended to accommodate retail expansion and make way for a new mixed-use development. The block earmarked to supersede the health centre could see the development of 80 new dwellings.
Sketch perspective of the proposed Kippax Health Centre, 1974.
Image: Courtesy of the Department of Health
Dissident residents have said that while they are not opposed to the development of the Kippax centre, they have objected to the appropriateness of this particular proposal, which would see the demolition of the revered health building and local playing fields.
“Of course we need community housing but not at the group centre, putting the health centre and playing fields at risk,” said local resident and chair of the Save Kippax Playing Fields Christopher Watson.
Watson has also suggested that the health centre, which operated as a public clinic from 1975 to 2005 before it shut for private practice, be reopened to the public on the grounds that nearby medical facilities do not provide enough access to crucial mental health services.
The ACT Heritage Council declined to list the Woolley building back in February 2022 on the grounds that it was not eligible for provisional registration, thereby paving the way for the rezoning and expansion.
“The Heritage Council is not satisfied on reasonable grounds that the Place is likely to have heritage significance as defined by section 10 of the Heritage Act 2004,” the decision read.
The ACT government then lodged an application for the demolition of the centre as part of a masterplan for the Kippax group centre.
According to the ACT government, community engagement on the Kippax Group Centre Draft Masterplan in early 2016 indicated strong support for the proposed recommendations that included the establishment of a new central hub with new community facilities and a retail expansion for the centre.
Watson has suggested that any submission against the proposed demolition will assist their cause, “no matter how small.” Written and online submissions must be received by the authority by close of business 18 May.
