The Ginninderra Electorate

Ginninderra is a five-member electorate comprising the district of Belconnen (excluding the suburbs of Giralang and Kaleen).

The name "Ginninderra" is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "sparkling like the stars". It is the name given to the creek that flows through the middle of Belconnen, which was dammed to form Lake Ginninderra, the lake on which the Belconnen Town Centre is sited.

To check which electorate you are in, refer to the Elections ACT website.

For information about the history of the electorate, visit the the Canberra & District Historical Society website is a great resource, and there is considerable useful information at the Belconnen Wikipedia page 

First Nations

The lands of the electorate of Ginninderra were occupied by First Nations peoples for thousands of years. Evidence of that occupation can be seen today in rock carvings and stone artefacts which have been found along the Ginninderra Creek corridor and extensively throughout the electorate. We acknowledge and stand in awe of the long history of First Nations people in this place and acknowledge the role of Elders through time and to this day in maintaining connection to the land, culture and traditions.

European Settlement

European settlement first occurred in the 1820’s when George Palmers developed his Palmerville Estate in the area of ‘Ginninderry’. The estate also included a homestead located on the banks of the Ginninderra Creek. Palmerville adjoined the Charnwood Estate to the west and the Yarralumla Estate to the east.

The development of the Belconnen District

Ginninderra as it looks today began in 1966 with the decision to create Belconnen as the third major town centre in Canberra. The first suburb off the blocks was Aranda as the first of 25 sub-divisions that now make up Belconnen. Initially planned to accommodate 120,000 residents, Belconnen developed quickly to provide its vibrant community with the facilities expected of a first rate modern city.

On the 28 February 1978, the first phase of the Belconnen Mall was opened to the public. As the major shopping and business centre in the electorate. The Mall has been the focal point for many with major retailers, specialty stores, medical and ancillary treatment providers and increasingly diverse restaurants and café’s.

Significant institutions in the electorate include:

• the University of Canberra which was opened by Liberal Prime Minister John Gorton in 1967 as the Canberra College of Advanced Education. It became the University of Canberra under sponsorship of Monash University in 1990.

• the Australian Institute of Sport which was opened by Liberal Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser on 26 January 1980.

• the Canberra Raiders established in 1982. The Raiders have competed in every season of top-level rugby league in Australia since then and have won a total of three premierships: 1989, 1990 and 1994. The Raiders contribute significantly to Belconnen through Raiders club venues which are open to all.

Current developments

By December 2024 Belconnen’s population had grown to 111,153 which is close to the initial planned population capacity of 120,000. Current Treasury population projections have the population rising to 185,063 by 2065.

This has generated discussion about how the increased population will be accommodated and have access to the services and facilities designed for a city of 120,000. We are already seeing housing and cost of living pressures hitting hard, making it particularly difficult for young families to get started on the property ladder. We are already seeing our services and infrastructure struggling to meet the needs of the current population.

We have already seen significant expansion through high rise residential towers in the central Belconnen area and the increase of dual occupancies on the large residential blocks typical of the District. The ACT government is considering further planning reforms - the ‘Missing Middle’ reforms . This debate will define the quality of life of the residents of Belconnen.

I am committed to ensure that your views on this development are considered as changes are made to the planning schemes.

The Ginninderra Electorate

The Ginninderra electorate was originally created in 1995 when the ACT electoral system incorporated multi-member districts under the Hare-Clark electoral system. For more information on the Hare-Clark system see https://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections/education/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-hare-clark

There are currently five members representing Ginninderra. Peter Cain MLA and I are honoured to represent the Canberra Liberals, to serve the interests of the electorate.

View the ACT electorates map .