Poplars; a new business park emerges for the Capital region

Poplars at Jerrabomberra is set to offer the Capital region a new hub for economic development with the latest a business park has to offer.

Poplars is the newest business precinct for the Canberra/Queanbeyan region. This development is located at Tompsitt Drive Jerrabomberra, NSW immediately adjacent to the ACT/NSW border. Located on the Queanbeyan ring road, it is within a 10 minute drive to Canberra airport, 15 minutes to Russell Offices (Department of Defence) and 20 minutes to the Canberra CBD.

Poplars comprises a 35Ha Innovation Precinct and 10 Ha Retail + Services Precinct. The broader site will also include a Learning Precinct which is set to comprise a new STEM high school (to open in 2023) and Queanbeyan Palerang councils (QPRC) Innovation Hub. The Hub aims to be an incubator for start-ups and emerging businesses thereby forming a pathway between education and industry.

The project has been over ten years in the making and brings together the experience of the Riverview and Goodwin & Kenyon Groups. Project manager, Chris Daly said “the development has received very strong support from local and state governments with progress well exceeding initial expectations. The first phase of the project involved Stage 1 of the retail centre which is now open for business and will comprise a service station, fast food outlets and an Aldi supermarket. The focus has now moved to the business park with the latest activity on site triggering a heightened interest in the area. Ultimately we envisage the site will provide an integrated employment centre for over 5,000 people”. 

The business park aims to provide a campus style setting which will inspire innovation from a cluster of like-minded organisations. Defence, Space, cyber-security and high-tech manufacturing businesses are the focus for the Innovation Precinct. The development will offer a unique opportunity for the region with the combination of business park and retail centre at the one site.

The development is registered for a Green Star Community Pilot rating with the Green Building Council of Australia targeting 5 green stars. Environmental initiatives will include a support agreement with the Wandyali Conservation Trust for land management, education programs and research at the adjacent Poplars Grassland Reserve. 

Construction has now commenced on the main spine road through the Innovation Precinct which marks the next phase of the estate. This road will eventually link the business park to QPRC’s Regional Sports Complex and the new South Jerrabomberra residential area. Subdivision works for Stage 1 of the business park are due to commence later in 2020.

Further information can be obtained from the Poplars website at www.Poplars.com.au