Acton Ridge Axis – Connecting the campus

This axis is an important means of creating a greater sense of connection between the central campus and the areas of Lennox Crossing and Acton Peninsula. There will be an improvement to the landscape along the axis with the primary focus on pedestrian and bicycle movement throughout the area.

The project will provide broad all-weather paths for pedestrians and cyclists, with lighting, security and other facilities, starting at the Acton Underhill lift and proceeding in an approximately straight line towards Sullivans Creek where the main traffic will proceed towards University Avenue.

In addition to the new wider, lit and shared paths rest lay-bys and decks at Fellows Oval, Balmain Lane and South Oval will form new social areas for students, staff and visitors to the campus.

The staged works will commence in April 2018 with the first stage focusing on the Crest, the southern-most section of the campus close to Balmain Crescent and child care centres. Areas will be converted back to green space, with a private garden feel. This will be a major improvement to the aesthetics of the landscape and with enhancements to the amenities in the space. The Crest improvements include the creation of a central path with flanking lawns and an enhanced entertaining area at the rear of the Centre for European Studies. The newly established car park close to the Acton Early Childhood Centre will be a flexible space, made available outside of business hours for social events such as markets and festivals.

As the path continues towards Graduate House and Fellows Garden, it will provide gathering and seating opportunities. A new deck area will be installed at South Oval as a space to pause and rest, watch sport or enjoy the views of Black Mountain.

The last stage of works will link South Oval with Kambri. The path will follow the existing route across the rear of the ANU College of Law, cross Fellows Road and then works to formalise the existing path along Sullivans Creek at Fellows Oval all the way to Winston Walk. A small gathering place will be built north of the Fellows Road overlooking the Creek as a place to meet, exercise, rest or gather on campus.

The project is also taking into account safety through the installation of more lighting which will incorporate CCTV and external Wi-Fi located on smart poles along the path.