Building works progress

Stage Two of the school construction is now well underway. Now the older buildings have been removed, work has begun on the new double gymnasium, landscaping, and the final car park areas. These developments will support the long‑term growth of our school and enhance facilities for students and the wider community.

As works progress, new access points and pathways will be introduced around the school to improve connectivity. These changes will provide additional entry and exit options, support active travel, and help distribute movement more evenly across the site. Signage remains in place to advise of temporary footpath closures where required.

The footpath at the top of the school site, between the school and nearby townhouses, has now been completed. This provides a safe, stable pedestrian route, replacing the previous uneven dirt path.

Car park works and timeframes

Construction of the main school car park is continuing and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.

The project forms part of a long‑term plan to ease parking pressures, improve traffic flow, and provide safer, more convenient access for families and staff.

What this means for our school community

Once complete, the new parking and traffic layout will deliver significant benefits, including:

• More parking spaces
  • Around 113 spaces in the main school car park, including:
  • 4 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) compliant spaces
  • 3 dedicated pick‑up and drop‑off areas.

• Smoother and safer drop‑off and pick‑up
  • Clearly marked pick‑up and drop‑off bays will allow quick drop‑off and collection without stopping traffic
  • Multiple pick‑up and drop‑off areas will reduce congestion in any one location.
• Improved safety for students and families
  • New and upgraded footpaths will support active travel
  • Clear separation between vehicles and walking paths will improve safety across the site.
• A design that supports different family needs
  • Options for quick drop‑off without leaving the car
  • Parking spaces for families who need extra time or assistance
  • More choice means less congestion and a calmer start and end to the school day.

Current traffic arrangements

Temporary traffic measures will remain in place and continue to be reviewed throughout Term 2. This currently includes left‑in, left‑out access from Kitchener Street.

The project team is working closely with the City and Environment Directorate to explore longer‑term traffic solutions, recognising the impact on both the school community and nearby residents.

To help keep everyone safe during busy times, we ask families to please:

• Be patient during peak drop‑off and pick‑up times
• Stay in your vehicle when using designated drop‑off and pick‑up bays
• Use a marked parking space if your child needs extra assistance
• Do not use the Goodstart Early Learning Centre car park
• Always follow staff directions.

These steps help protect student safety and reduce congestion for everyone.

Drop‑In information sessions

The Education Directorate is pleased to invite families to attend upcoming drop‑in information sessions at the school.

These sessions will be an opportunity to:

• View the site plans for the new car parks and how traffic will flow.
• See how the full school site will look once construction is complete
• Ask questions and raise any concerns directly with project experts.

Sessions details:

• Date: Monday 11 May & Tuesday 12 May
• Time and location: drop in anytime between 3.30pm and 5.30pm to the Garran Primary School Boardroom

We know parking and traffic are important concerns for families. Thank you for your continued patience, care for student safety, and strong partnership as we work through these changes together.

Further updates will be shared as the project progresses, and we look forward to welcoming families to the drop‑in sessions soon.

Stage two is well underway, with lots of progress across the site. It is expected the old buildings will be fully removed by the end of term 1. From early term 2, work will start on the new double gymnasium, landscaping and the remaining carpark areas.

Work on the main school carpark will also begin in term 2 and should be finished in the second half of 2026. The carpark off Gilmore Street is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

For now, temporary traffic measures remain in place for the rest of term 1 and will be reviewed for term 2. This includes left‑in, left‑out access from Kitchener Street, with traffic controllers helping during busy times. The project team is also working with the City and Environment Directorate to find a long‑term traffic solution for this area.

We know drop‑off and pick‑up can get busy. To help keep everyone safe and moving, we kindly ask parents and carers to:

• stay patient during peak times
• remain in your vehicle when using the pick‑up and drop‑off zones
• use a designated parking space if your child needs extra help or needs to be collected from the building
• not use the Goodstart Early Learning Centre carpark
• follow staff directions at drop‑off and pick‑up.

Due to recent wet weather, the temporary footpath closure will stay in place for one more week, until 30 March. There will be signage in place to guide pedestrians through an alternative route. For any questions, please contact InfrastructureCanberra@act.gov.au.

Thank you for your understanding while this work continues. We’ll keep sharing updates as the project progresses.

Stage two of our school’s modernisation project is literally trucking along, with the old preschool demolished in late February and the materials removed for recycling and disposal.

Works to install security bollard lighting along the path at the back of the school near Eldridge Crescent and Hopegood Place will begin on Monday 2 March for a period of three weeks. The path will be closed with construction fencing during this time, reopening on Monday 23 March. This will be signage in place to guide pedestrians through an alternative route.

Garran primary footpath closures (PDF 795 kb)

For any questions, please contact InfrastructureCanberra@act.gov.au

Students enjoyed finishing last year in our new building, marking the completion of stage one of works.

Stage two is now well underway. Removal of the old building is expected to be completed by the end of Term 1, with construction of the new double gymnasium beginning in Term 2.

The new carpark will be completed in Term 4. Temporary traffic measures are in place this month including left‑in, left‑out access from Kitchener Street, with traffic controllers assisting during peak times.

Traffic management during construction

From next month, traffic will return to the same arrangements as Term 4 last year. Please follow all directions and avoid using the Goodstart Early Learning Centre carpark for drop‑off or pick‑up.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We will continue to provide updates as the project progresses.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Education Directorate at ACT.Education@act.gov.au.

With Stage One of the modernisation project now complete, students and staff have been settling in well in our brand-new buildings and are making the most of the new, flexible learning spaces.

Stage Two is now underway. This stage involves demolishing the old buildings, building a new double gymnasium and building new outdoor areas.

Demolition of the original school building has commenced and will continue during the holidays.

Demolition work includes removal of asbestos containing materials. This will be carried out safely, in line with work health and safety requirements, by appropriately licensed contractors. Removal of these hazardous materials will include ongoing air monitoring and water drenching while demolition works are taking place.

Safety remains our highest priority and appropriate safety measures are in place, including hoarding and fencing to ensure there is no access to the demolition area while works are carried out.

Demolition is expected to be complete in late February 2026.

The school holiday program will not be impacted by these works.

Construction on the new double gymnasium is expected to start in February 2026. A more detailed update will be shared at the start of term 1.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Education Directorate over the summer break at ACT.Education@act.gov.au.

Site establishment activities began on Stage One of the project in May, with temporary construction fencing installed to ensure the safety of students, families, staff, visitors and the community.

Stage 1 of the Garran Modernisation Project is now complete, and the process of moving students over to their brand-new learning environment has now begun.

Systems and processes have been put in place for parents and students to ensure a smooth transition to the new building. An information pack has been created detailing everything you need to know about the new building, including student drop-off and pick-up, out of hours school care, can be found here. Garran S Modernisation Visual Information Pack.pdf

To help us as we get ready to move students across to the new building, we kindly ask that you take a moment to read the information guide to familiarise yourself with the new processes which accompany this new building.

The next stage of the project will be demolishing the old buildings and building new external learning play spaces. Further information on the next stage will be shared when available. Stage two is due for completion by the end of 2026.

Garran Primary School staff got to tour the new building as Stage 1 of the Garran Primary School Modernisation Project comes to a close.

This modern, sustainable facility has been designed as an inclusive space to support all students.

Opening later this term, it is now receiving its final touches.

The second stage of the project will involve demolishing the old school building and building a new double gymnasium, canteen, music and dance spaces, as well as external learning play spaces. Stage 2 is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

Stage 1 of the Garran Primary School Expansion and Modernisation Project is approaching completion. The courtyard and outdoor areas are nearly complete and inside the building is starting to look more like our new school every day!

Work is progressing well on these exciting new spaces which include administration, preschool, learning, junior library, senior library, adaptable specialty space, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Lab, and a rooftop garden.

Construction of a new carpark out the front of this building is also progressing well, which will include around 65 carparks, and a sheltered bay for pick-up and drop off. The main carpark will then be expanded to its final capacity during Stage 2 of construction. Entry will be controlled by a boom gate and be open during peak drop-off and pick-up and to the public outside of school hours.

We expect that staff and students will start moving to these new spaces in the second half of Term 4. We will provide further information about this in Term 4.

The second stage of the project will involve demolishing the old school building and building a new double gymnasium, canteen, music and dance spaces, as well as external learning play spaces. Stage 2 is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

Roof top garden with planter boxes, seating and coloured battens around the perimeter.

Internal courtyard landscaping.

STEAM and adaptable learning spaces.

Landscaping outside the Junior areas of the building.

Covered walkway being installed over the nature play area between the Library and Learning Communities.

Continued installation of coloured steel beams around all buildings.

Progress has been made on the new building and roof garden at Garran Primary School.

The new building will facilitate a range of modern learning and staff spaces, including:

• Junior Library
• Senior Library
• Adaptable Specialty Space
• STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Lab
• Teacher conference room and staff room

The roof garden is a space where students will be able to relax and unwind during their break times. The space will also be home to many outdoor learning opportunities for our classes.

Please click here for Garran Primary School site establishment map, May 2024

Please click here for proposed project site plan

3D renders of the Garran Primary School modernisation:

Take a virtual tour of the school by watching the video below:

The design phase assessed all existing infrastructure, landscaping, site constraints and included school community input to develop the preferred master plan options. The Education Directorate assessed options to extend the site, respond to the wider site context and address the interface with the neighbouring Canberra Hospital campus.

As part of the modernisation of the school, the Directorate is seeking to combine the existing preschool site with the primary school site to move the school’s access away from Gilmore Crescent, creating a safer connection separate to the Canberra Hospital campus.

During the construction stages the Education Directorate has partnered with Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) to engage three Pedestrian Crossing Supervisors. This arrangement will continue throughout construction. At points in the construction stages additional traffic management contractors will be engaged to manage vehicle movements from the site onto public roads. We will update community on this closer to site establishment when this information is available.

Please note that the construction contractor parking and deliveries will be accommodated within the construction site and will not impact parking for parents, carers, and the community which the Head Contractor will closely monitor. Deliveries and access to the site will be continually monitored and included in traffic management plans with spotters and traffic control in place.

To minimise disruption during peak school times, deliveries and heavy vehicle movements will be restricted between 8:30 am to 9:15 am and 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm. We will review traffic management plans, vehicle access, and pedestrian access throughout the project and adjust it depending on the stage of construction and as required.

The Directorate will continue to work closely with TCCS, Major Projects Canberra (MPC) and Canberra Health Services (CHS) to ensure all construction teams comply with parking restrictions and regulations.

A new sealed car park will be constructed to the north of the school to replace the current unsealed car park. The new car park accessible from Kitchener Street will have defined parking bays, providing adequate parking for school staff and visitors. Moreover, it will offer a safer space for student pick-up and drop-off.

The new car park will also be available for community and sporting groups that utilise the revitalised Garran playing fields outside of school hours. The existing school car park from Gilmore Crescent will be maintained and upgraded, providing parking for school staff during the day. Additionally, it will serve as a parking space for before- and after-school care and community hirers.

Please note that there will be no vehicular access from Robson Street to the proposed school car park. Nevertheless, the pedestrian access for the school and community will remain.

The site will be enclosed by a construction site fence at all times. The fencing used around the perimeter of the construction site will be routinely reviewed to ensure it is maintaining a safe separation between the school and construction.

During the construction stages the Education Directorate has partnered with Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) to engage three Pedestrian Crossing Supervisors. This arrangement will continue throughout construction.

Further updates will be provided closer to construction commencing.

The 2023-24 budget is the biggest investment in public education infrastructure in ACT Government history, delivering new and upgraded public schools to meet the needs of our growing city.

An investment of $63.3 million through the 2022-23 ACT Budget was committed to the project for the design and construction. The ACT Government committed further funding as part of the $85.7 million investment through the 2023/34 budget for this school, the new school at Strathnairn and the North Gungahlin High School projects.

The project team (ACT Education Directorate, Major Projects Canberra, and consultants) will engage with Garran Primary School community throughout the project, including regular communication through, newsletters, website and FAQ updates.

You are encouraged to speak to the school leadership team at any time. The project team will be working closely with principal Jenny Priest throughout this process.  Alternatively, you can email the Education Directorate on ACT.Education@act.gov.au.