North Arm Cove Initiative

Preserving and sustainably developing a unique piece of Australian urban heritage - Walter Burley Griffin’s 1918 subdivision - through applied research, collaboration, and community governance.

A Vision Rooted in History

This initiative aims to build a sustainable and resilient regional community on the historic 1918 subdivision by Walter Burley Griffin. With more than 3,000 lots, the plan is to go beyond net-zero - creating a permacity founded on circular economy principles, digital innovation, and inclusive governance.

Masterplan Framework

The project has two major goals:

Develop a masterplan based on the historic layout, redesigned as a circular, flexible, beyond-net-zero community.
Integrate cutting-edge technologies across infrastructure, governance, housing, and mobility - including smart contracts, digital twins, IoT, AI, and shared economies.

Land uses include:

Housing (approx. 3,500 residents)
Innovation precinct
Transport connectivity (local to international)
Heritage tourism
Post-COVID employment strategies
Development guided by the future Sustainability Research Centre (SRCe)

Land Ownership & Economic Potential

North Arm Cove has approx. 3,500 subdivided lots:

500 RU5 village lots (~200 developed)
3,000 RU2 “non-urban” lots
1,000 lots held by MidCoast Council
2,400 owned privately
80 held by Walker Corporation

Provision of sustainable infrastructure (e.g. microgrids) could increase land values 10x. A 400% ROI is projected for the local government on its land.

Microgrid Innovation in Practice

This project supports development of self-sufficient, sustainable infrastructure:

Integrated stormwater harvesting & reuse
Local power generation, storage & smart grids
Waste management & circular reuse
Smart road systems for governance & traffic
Digital governance with blockchain, IoT & peer-to-peer systems

Recognition & Media Coverage

In the Media:

Sydney Morning Herald: “The fight to revive Walter Burley Griffin’s lost city”
ABC Radio Sydney: Afternoons Broadcast, Tue 28 Feb 2023
Architecture & Design: Designing a city influenced by 20th century vision

Academic Recognition:

At the International SEEDS Conference in Bristol, UK, the initiative received a High Commendation in the Project Management category.