The SLA is taking a people-first approach to developing the Kingston Arts Precinct. We are currently developing a Place Brief with the community, arts organisations and stakeholders to guide future development of the site and help shape the Kingston Arts Precinct.
A leading destination for visitors and locals to explore
The ACT Government, artsACT and the Suburban Land Agency (SLA) are moving forward with the development of the Kingston Arts Precinct (Arts Precinct. We are looking forward to working with the community, progressing our shared goals and bringing the Kingston Arts Precinct to life.
The Arts Precinct will attract new audiences to enjoy arts practices, activities and content from Canberra’s local artists, the region and beyond.
From its inception, the Arts Precinct has been a key element in the planning of the Kingston Foreshore and is a leading destination for contemporary arts and culture in the ACT region. The ACT Government continues its commitment to delivering a precinct of value to the highest standards, that is sensitive to its surroundings, its cultural heritage and future sustainable living.
We acknowledge that this site which we plan to redevelop is Ngunnawal Country. The Ngunnawal are the Indigenous people of this region and its first inhabitants. We seek to work in close cooperation with the land’s Traditional Custodians where this place remains as a meeting place for all to respect its natural history.
As we progress our engagement, design and delivery, please visit the ACT Government’s Your Say website for all the latest information
Welcome to Country
Welcome to Country
Integrating heritage, arts organisations and the community
Located in Section 49 Kingston, the Arts Precinct will be the main visual entry point to the greater Kingston Foreshore area. It is home to some of Canberra’s oldest buildings including the Kingston Powerhouse (now home to Canberra Glassworks), The Fitters' Workshop (now a community facility) and Former Transport Depot. The site is significant for its association with Canberra’s early industrial history and its proximity to the Molonglo flood plains, an important Ngunnawal meeting place.
Three of Canberra’s oldest heritage-listed buildings
The Powerhouse
The Powerhouse was designed by Federal Government architect J.S.Murdoch, and supplied Canberra with coal generated electricity from 1915 until it was decommissioned in 1957. It was then used as a training facility by electricity authority ACTEW until 2000. You can read more about the Heritage Significance of the building here. A new Conservation Management Plan for the Kingston Powerhouse Historic Precinct is currently being prepared, the earlier plan for 2001 can be found here.
The Powerhouse is now home to the Canberra Glassworks which is housed entirely within the existing building, the fabric of which was left ‘as found’ without refurbishment or renovation. The Canberra Glassworks provides facilities for glass artists to produce high-quality commission glass art and exhibition work.
The Former Transport Depot
The Former Transport Depot was the centre of government transport operations in Canberra from 1927 to 1992 is now an historical Canberra Icon. It is particularly notable for the steel fully welded rigid portal frame that was built to support its roof in 1940-1941 and holds heritage significance. This construction is considered to be one of the earliest examples of this technology in the world of its size. You can read more about the heritage significance of the building here including the 2011 Conservation Management Plan.
The Fitters' Workshop
The Fitters’ Workshop was constructed in 1916-1917 and designed by John Smith Murdoch. It formed a key part of a wider industrial complex that enabled maintenance of government plant and equipment, and construction work. The Fitters’ Workshop is now a community facility, primarily used for arts and cultural use. You can read more about the heritage significance of the building here. The Conservation Management Plan was last updated in 2018 and can be viewed here.