Where the townhouse and apartment block now sit was the Downer Primary School (1962 to 1988). That strange mound above was the frog pond that featured in the school courtyard along with a bronze statue of a kangaroo. The frog pond was relocated by DCA to the back of the Community Centre and now features a native garden. The kangaroo (which was mysteriously removed -suspect stolen) has been replaced by a big corten steel kangaroo called "Roo Watch" now in the Square. Designed by April Pine, it came all the way from Western Australia and is considerably larger than the original kangaroo sculpture.
Homes for the Community (CHC) have completed the two stages of development and residents have moved in to "The Bradfield".
Goodwin have purchased Stage 3, Block 13, Section 61, which was formally the school oval and treed play space. A Development Application (DA) has been submitted in August 2021 for the development of a four block, four storey, 130 unit independent living and supported living complex. The DA is now approved. The required 30 metre setback from Bradfield Street- as per the Downer Precinct Plan, has been re-instated and the floor plans of the two block reconfigured.
The Downer Community Association made a submission see - goodwin_da_-_dca_submission.pdf
In August 2023 Goodwin announced that Manteena are to be the builders for this project. Construction is set to commence later in 2023, to be completed in the first half of 2025.
Latest news from Goodwin (Nov 2023)- verbatim
"I am writing to update you on an unforeseen development that has impacted Goodwin's construction timeline. Unfortunately, we have experienced a slight delay due to an unexpected holdup in the issuance of the Crown Lease by the ACT Government. Until this administrative step is completed, we are unable to commence building....As it stands, construction is now anticipated to commence in early 2024, with an expected 18-month build duration."
Residents should be aware that one of the conditions imposed on the developers by the ACT Heritage Council was to remove and replace the pine trees around the old school site. Two rows of Canary Pines are now planted along Bradfield Street.
Sales promotion information is at goodwin.org.au/retirement-living/downer/
Homes for the Community (CHC) have completed the two stages of development and residents have moved in to "The Bradfield".
Goodwin have purchased Stage 3, Block 13, Section 61, which was formally the school oval and treed play space. A Development Application (DA) has been submitted in August 2021 for the development of a four block, four storey, 130 unit independent living and supported living complex. The DA is now approved. The required 30 metre setback from Bradfield Street- as per the Downer Precinct Plan, has been re-instated and the floor plans of the two block reconfigured.
The Downer Community Association made a submission see - goodwin_da_-_dca_submission.pdf
In August 2023 Goodwin announced that Manteena are to be the builders for this project. Construction is set to commence later in 2023, to be completed in the first half of 2025.
Latest news from Goodwin (Nov 2023)- verbatim
"I am writing to update you on an unforeseen development that has impacted Goodwin's construction timeline. Unfortunately, we have experienced a slight delay due to an unexpected holdup in the issuance of the Crown Lease by the ACT Government. Until this administrative step is completed, we are unable to commence building....As it stands, construction is now anticipated to commence in early 2024, with an expected 18-month build duration."
Residents should be aware that one of the conditions imposed on the developers by the ACT Heritage Council was to remove and replace the pine trees around the old school site. Two rows of Canary Pines are now planted along Bradfield Street.
Sales promotion information is at goodwin.org.au/retirement-living/downer/
