Molonglo Valley's newest suburb Whitlam takes shape as residents move in

Whitlam, the ACT's newest suburb in the Molonglo Valley, has crossed the milestone of 400 occupied households as the territory's fastest-growing district continues its rapid transformation from open paddock to established urban neighbourhood.

The suburb, named after former prime minister Gough Whitlam, is part of the broader Molonglo Valley urban development program that will ultimately house more than 55,000 residents across seven new suburbs. Whitlam is the third suburb to open in the valley, following Wright and Coombs, and will eventually accommodate approximately 8,500 people across a mix of detached housing, townhouses, and medium-density apartments.

ACT Planning Minister Chris Steel said the Molonglo Valley program was critical to meeting Canberra's housing demand, with the territory expected to grow by 40,000 residents over the next decade. "Every family that moves into Whitlam is a family that has found a home in a planned community with parks, schools, and services built in from the start," he said.

The first primary school in Whitlam opened last year and is already operating at capacity. Education authorities have approved funding for a second primary school, with construction to begin within the financial year. A local shops precinct, the Whitlam Group Centre, received planning approval for a supermarket, medical centre, and childcare facility, with the supermarket expected to open in late 2025.

A new shared path connecting Whitlam to the Molonglo River Corridor nature reserve opened last month, giving residents direct active travel access to 55 hectares of protected riparian habitat.

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