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 The kangaroo (which was mysteriously removed -suspect stolen) has been replaced by a big corten steel kangaroo called "Roo Watch" now in the Square.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, 109 unit independent living and 20 unit assisted 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 commenced in 2024, was to be completed in the first half of 2025. As at June 2025, Goodwin invite you to move-in in early 2026!
There have been a number of notices regarding traffic and parking changes as construction progresses. These have been forwarded to DCA members. Tradie parking issues in the nearby streets have been raised directly with Manteena.
One of the conditions imposed on the developers by the ACT Heritage Council was to remove and replace the radiata pine trees around the old school site. As of June 2025 a partial cancellation closed for public comment on 24 July 2025. We await outcome- it may be some months!
Interested in background and Downer history? click on- Heritage of Downer
Sales promotion information for the Goodwin Apartments 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, 109 unit independent living and 20 unit assisted 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 commenced in 2024, was to be completed in the first half of 2025. As at June 2025, Goodwin invite you to move-in in early 2026!
There have been a number of notices regarding traffic and parking changes as construction progresses. These have been forwarded to DCA members. Tradie parking issues in the nearby streets have been raised directly with Manteena.
One of the conditions imposed on the developers by the ACT Heritage Council was to remove and replace the radiata pine trees around the old school site. As of June 2025 a partial cancellation closed for public comment on 24 July 2025. We await outcome- it may be some months!
Interested in background and Downer history? click on- Heritage of Downer
Sales promotion information for the Goodwin Apartments is at goodwin.org.au/retirement-living/downer/
