Everything you need to know about Canberra’s newest suburb, Macnamara

It seems apt that Canberra’s newest suburb, named after one of Australia’s most prolific paediatricians, will one day be home to thousands of children.

The suburb of Macnamara, named in tribute to Dame Jean Macnamara, a medical doctor and scientist, will be a suburb with playgrounds, tree-lined streets, sporting fields and its own swimming pool. Mcnamara is located to the west of new suburb Strathnairn, and bordered by a conservation corridor.

Dame Jean Macnamara was one of the first female doctors to work at Royal Melbourne’s Children Hospital, becoming a resident there in 1923. During her career she played a critical role in the development of the Salk vaccine, a treatment for polio. Dame Jean had an affinity for the land and passion for Australia's environment.

“Macnamara is the second suburb in the Ginninderry community - a joint venture between the ACT Government, through the Suburban Land Agency, and Riverview Developments,” Project Director Steve Harding says.

“Ginninderry stretches from the northwestern suburbs of Canberra - Holt and Macgregor - across the ACT/NSW border into the Yass Valley and will eventually be a community of 30,000 people.

“Macnamara itself will be home to 1650 dwellings and 4,100 people - about the same size as the long-established suburb of Griffith.”

According to Steve, interest in living in the new suburb has been “significant”.

More than 8,700 people registered for a ballot draw in February for the suburb’s first 71 blocks. Most of the 55 house and land packages, available via the Ginninderry Display Village builders, are under contract.

Once complete, Macnamara will be home to a neighbourhood park (similar to Paddy’s Park in Strathnairn) and a market centre, featuring a major supermarket and a mix of retail stores and cafes.

Children who live in Macnamara can access the neighbouring school in Strathnairn, from preschool to Year 6, with the school due for completion in 2024.

According to Steve, Macnamara will build on the world-leading sustainability credentials forged in the earlier stages of the Ginninderry community by mandating a minimum 7-Star Energy Rating for all homes.

“In addition to its focus on sustainability, Macnamara also takes advantage of an enviable position overlooking the Brindabellas,” he said.

“Macnamara is well-positioned to provide for future easy access to new recreation and picnic areas proposed in the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor.”

The next Macnamara release is earmarked for mid-2022. Further information at ginninderry.com