The Â鶹´«Ã½’s (UC) Major Plan Amendment (MPA) proposal for rezoning of the proposed Aikman Drive Arscott House site in Belconnen has been accepted by the ACT Government.
The University worked extensively with town planning consultants, Purdon Planning, and Cox Architecture on the MPA submitted in July 2025. The proposed development of the former Arscott House site should contribute to the Belconnen Boulevard upgrade and integration with John Knight Memorial Park and complement UC’s Campus Master Plan.
Rezoning of the site is intended to align with the ACT Territory Plan and District Strategy and further contribute to the ACT Government’s commitment to provide an additional 30 000 homes to the ACT.
“If approved, the amendment will allow for future multi-use development including residential, commercial and community services in Belconnen. It will contribute to the Belconnen Boulevard upgrade project, providing improved access between the UC campus and the Town Centre for students, staff, on-campus residents and the Belconnen community,” said Professor The Honourable Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor and President of the Â鶹´«Ã½.
Originally, the site was considered as a strategic-use site in the University’s Campus Master Plan launched five years ago, the proposed development comprised a convention centre with short-stay accommodation.
“The University has since identified that these facilities can be accommodated within existing campus facilities and determined that a rezoning of the site would better serve the community,” said Professor Shorten.
Arscott House, formerly a student residence was demolished in 2019. The site is currently empty and underutilised and covers just over a hectare (10 000m2) and is zoned as a Community Facilities Zone (CFZ). It is located on Block 42 Section 65, Belconnen, across the road from the Â鶹´«Ã½ and adjacent to John Knight Memorial Park and Lake Ginninderra. Westfield Belconnen, local schools, the Belconnen Bus Interchange, and a wide range of services are within walking distance.
The Territory Planning Authority has drafted the Plan Amendment for the public and government agencies to review and provide comment.
Further information is available on the ACT Government website :