Giralang Shops: The End of a 15-Year Journey

Once a bustling hub for local residents, the Giralang Shops have experienced a long and complicated journey marked by planning disputes, legal challenges, and community resilience. Thanks to determined community effort, the reopening signals a fresh chapter and an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned along the way. The redevelopment also tells a broader story about urban development, community needs, and bureaucratic obstacles. Here’s how it all unfolded:

A Timeline of Controversy and Progress

• 1974: Giralang Shops were established as a suburban shopping precinct, providing essential services to the local community.
• 2004: The original shops were closed due to a decline in patronage and maintenance issues.
• 2006: The site was sold for redevelopment, and initial plans were lodged.
• 2009: Planning approval was granted, but rival business objections and legal challenges delayed the project.
• 2011: The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) overturned development approval after concerns were raised about the redevelopment’s potential impact on neighbouring businesses and traffic.
• 2015–2018: Developers came and went, leaving the site vacant and further frustrating residents.
• 2021: Construction finally commenced under a new developer (TP Dynamics) after extensive community lobbying and negotiations.
• 2025: The Giralang Shops soon to reopen, featuring a new supermarket and cafe, and new apartments for residents to call home.

Originally demolished in the early 2010s, the Giralang Shops were once a focal point for the suburb. However, the path to their renewal was anything but straightforward.

Redevelopment became mired in planning disputes, legal hurdles, and broader debates about the role of local shops in suburban life. Critics argued that the years-long delays reflected deeper flaws in planning processes and a tendency to prioritise commercial interests over community needs. According to the ACT Government’s Inquiry into Giralang Shops Final Report (July 2023), bureaucratic red tape stalled progress and left the community in limbo.

Opposition came from several quarters, including rival shopping centre owners and local advocacy groups. In 2011, a ruling by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal delayed development approval, citing concerns about traffic and the impact on neighbouring businesses (Region Canberra, 2010). Detractors argued that these objections placed corporate competition ahead of community wellbeing, leaving Giralang residents without local services for far too long. Yet, the community persisted.

A New Chapter

Today, the completed Giralang Shops stand as a symbol of resilience and determination. The redevelopment features a mix of essential services, including a supermarket tenancy filled by IGA, aiming to restore a sense of community that had long been missing (Region Canberra, 2023).

Local MLA Suzanne Orr, a longstanding advocate for the project, captured the significance of the moment:

“The Giralang community has shown incredible determination and unity over the years,” she said. “This isn’t just a shopping centre; it’s a testament to what can happen when a community comes together to fight for what they need.” (Suzanne Orr Campaigns)

However, not everyone sees the outcome as a clear win. Advocacy groups such as the North Canberra Community Council have expressed concern about the broader implications for small, independent retailers. In a 2010 statement, the Council stressed the need for planning approaches that consider the long-term health of smaller precincts (North Canberra Community Council, 2011).

A Bittersweet Victory

For many residents, the reopening is both a triumph and a reminder of what was lost during years of stagnation. One long-time Giralang resident reflected:

“We’ve waited so long for this, and while it’s wonderful to finally have our shops back, it’s hard not to reflect on how much we lost during those years of delays.”

With modern design, ample parking, and essential amenities, the revitalised Giralang Shops are poised to be more than just a shopping centre, they’re expected to become a gathering place where community bonds can grow once again.

We are proud to be the managing strata firm, including on-site building management, for the Giralang Shops and apartment complex, now known as G+. We look forward to meeting the residents and owners, and working with the Giralang community to ensure the long-awaited development is well preserved and continues to increase value and investment within the area.