Released 03/08/2026
The ACT Government will shortly begin the demolition of 91A Wakefield Gardens to remove the fire-damaged structure and pave the way for the site to be returned to community use.
Following demolition, the site will be reconnected to the surrounding Wakefield Gardens precinct with landscaping to create a public, open space that maintains the cultural and historical significance of the area.
The demolition work is expected to take three weeks and start in late August, with subsequent landscaping to take place following engagement with the local community.
This decision builds on extensive community consultation in late 2025 and seeks to balance the community’s priorities with heritage requirements and site constraints.
The property will be demolished to ground level, with topsoil and grass seeding initially applied to restore the site before further landscaping takes place.
During the demolition, background air monitoring will be installed around the property, wet decontamination facilities will be placed onsite and exclusion zones will be erected to ensure the work occurs in a controlled and safe way.
Traffic management plans will also be put in place to ensure the safety of site workers and the community during the demolition.
The demolition of this vacant building follows the severe fire damage that occurred last year.
While the damaged structure itself is not heritage listed, the Wakefield Gardens precinct is heritage listed, so all demolition and remediation works will be undertaken with care to protect the site’s heritage values.
Further information on the future of Wakefield Gardens is available here.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Public Service, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA:
“The Wakefield Gardens site has a proud history, and I’m pleased we’re now able to once again create a space that will bring the Ainslie community together.
“The decision to reconnect the precinct through landscaping reflects the priorities we heard from the community and the site's cultural and historical significance.
“I thank the residents and local businesses in Ainslie for sharing their views, and for their patience as work gets underway to restore the site and return it to the community.
“Participants in both the ACT Government’s and Mr Emerson’s consultations put forward many ideas for the broader Wakefield Gardens precinct, and I will continue to engage with the community about potential future opportunities.”
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases