Kippax Fair Shopping Centre

Kippax Fair Shopping Centre is a neighbourhood shopping centre in Holt, a western suburb of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. It serves the surrounding West Belconnen region and combines supermarket-anchored retail with restaurants, cafés, bars, community services and other local businesses. The centre is named after Alan Kippax, an Australian cricketer. The centre originated during the development of West Belconnen in the 1970s. In 1974, the ACT Government sought to establish a substantial retail facility on a large site near the Parkwood industrial estate. The original concept comprised an enclosed shopping complex alongside two open-air strip malls. Kippax Fair opened in March 1976, providing a local retail centre for a growing suburban area. As West Belconnen's population expanded and competition increased following the opening of Belconnen Mall, now known as Westfield Belconnen, Kippax Fair underwent further development. In the late 1980s, construction began on the part of the centre that later accommodated Woolworths, together with an additional strip-mall area on Kippax Place. This stage also incorporated a Caltex service station and the West Belconnen Leagues Club. The centre was subsequently expanded in 2005 to accommodate an Aldi discount supermarket. A separate building was also developed beside the centre's playground for the Kippax Public Library, while the shopping centre's façade was modernised. Its retail mix is centred on everyday convenience and grocery shopping rather than destination luxury retail. Woolworths and Aldi provide major supermarket anchors, while smaller stores and hospitality businesses serve routine food, dining and household needs. The presence of a library and other community services gives the precinct a broader civic role within West Belconnen. In early 2019, the ACT Government produced a master plan proposing a further expansion on land associated with the Kippax Playing Fields. The proposal envisaged another enclosed shopping complex, an additional anchor tenant and more stores. The plan generated controversy because local sporting organisations would have had to relocate training facilities, potentially to venues including Higgins Oval approximately two kilometres south of the centre. The proposal illustrates the tension between expanding suburban retail infrastructure and preserving established community sporting spaces.

Kippax Fair developed as part of the planned growth of West Belconnen in Canberra. In 1974, the ACT Government approached the idea of creating a sizeable shopping centre on a large parcel adjoining the Parkwood industrial estate. The proposed layout was designed around one indoor shopping complex and two outdoor strip malls. The open-air sections formed much of what is now the centre's north-eastern wing. The completed centre opened in March 1976. Its initial role was primarily local: it supplied groceries, retail goods and services to residents of the emerging western suburbs, reducing the need for routine shopping trips to larger commercial districts. The centre was named after Alan Kippax, an Australian cricketer. During the late 1980s, West Belconnen continued to grow and the newly opened Belconnen Mall, later renamed Westfield Belconnen, increased competitive pressure on local retail centres. Kippax Fair responded through development of additional retail space. Construction began in the area that would accommodate Woolworths, and a further strip-mall section was created on Kippax Place. This development also brought a Caltex service station and the West Belconnen Leagues Club into the broader precinct. A further expansion took place in 2005. Aldi was added as a second supermarket anchor, broadening the centre's grocery offer and introducing a discount-oriented supermarket format alongside Woolworths. Around the same period, a separate building was developed near the centre's playground for the Kippax Public Library. The façade of the shopping centre was also modernised, updating its appearance while retaining its established neighbourhood-centre function. Kippax Fair's role extends beyond conventional retail. Its supermarket anchors, smaller shops, hospitality venues, bars and community services support everyday activity in West Belconnen. The library adds a public and civic dimension to the precinct, while nearby recreational facilities contribute to its importance as a local gathering point. In early 2019, the ACT Government developed a master plan for a possible further expansion. The proposal identified the Kippax Playing Fields as the site for another indoor shopping complex, a further anchor tenant and additional stores. The plan became contentious because local sporting organisations used the playing fields for training and could have been required to relocate their facilities. Potential alternative locations included Higgins Oval, about two kilometres south of Kippax Fair. The proposal therefore raised a broader planning issue involving retail growth, community facilities and the preservation of sporting space. The available reference material does not establish that the proposed expansion was completed.

• 2019

  Expansion master plan proposed

  [1]Kippax Fair Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  An ACT Government master plan proposed another indoor shopping complex and additional retail space on the Kippax Playing Fields, prompting local concern about the relocation of sporting facilities.

• 2005

  Aldi expansion and precinct modernization

  [1]Kippax Fair Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The centre expanded to accommodate Aldi, a separate Kippax Public Library building was developed beside the playground, and the centre façade was modernised.

• 1980

  Late-1980s retail expansion

  [1]Kippax Fair Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Development began on the area later occupied by Woolworths and on an additional Kippax Place strip mall, including a Caltex service station and the West Belconnen Leagues Club.

• 1976

  Kippax Fair opens

  [1]Kippax Fair Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The centre opened in March with an indoor shopping complex and outdoor strip-mall components.

• 1974

  Government planning for a West Belconnen shopping centre

  [1]Kippax Fair Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The ACT Government pursued the development of a substantial shopping centre on land near the Parkwood industrial estate as West Belconnen began to emerge.

A local, convenience-oriented shopping and community precinct for residents of West Belconnen and nearby Canberra suburbs.

• Supermarket anchor

  Woolworths supermarket

  A major supermarket anchor serving everyday grocery and household needs for West Belconnen residents. Woolworths forms part of the centre's later retail expansion and complements the smaller stores and services operating throughout the precinct.

• Discount supermarket anchor · 2005

  Aldi supermarket

  A discount supermarket added during the 2005 expansion. Aldi broadens the centre's grocery offer and gives local shoppers an alternative supermarket format alongside Woolworths.

• Shopping-centre services

  Hospitality and local retail businesses

  The centre includes a mix of smaller stores, restaurants, cafés, bars and community-oriented services. These businesses support convenience shopping, dining and routine local activities rather than positioning Kippax Fair as a regional destination mall.

• Community service · 2005

  Kippax Public Library

  A separate library building developed beside the shopping centre's playground. The library adds a public-service and community function to the wider Kippax precinct.

• 2019

  Proposed expansion onto Kippax Playing FieldsStrategy

  Background

  The ACT Government sought to plan for additional retail capacity at Kippax Fair, including another enclosed shopping complex, a new anchor tenant and more stores.

  Action taken

  A master plan identified the Kippax Playing Fields as a potential expansion area and contemplated relocating sporting organisations' training activities to alternative venues such as Higgins Oval.

  Aftermath

  The proposal was controversial because it would affect established local sporting facilities. The available reference material does not confirm that the proposed expansion was ultimately built.

  Source

1. 1Kippax Fair Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org