It has been a year of accelerated transformation for the City Centre, Acton Waterfront, Braddon and Dickson.
To mark the release of the 2022-23 Annual Report, we went through the archives to bring you our top photos of 2022-23.
From Haig Park events and Dickson streetscape upgrades to Christmas activities and the biggest ever National Multicultural Festival, the collection shows just how much can happen in a year.
1. Big Swoop becomes big news
Source: ACT Government
Canberra’s favourite magpie Big Swoop returned to Garema Place as a semi-permanent fixture in December 2022 after getting some much-needed little TLC.
The sculpture – funded by our Placemaking Grants – has quickly become a Canberra icon and even featured on an Australia Post coin and stamp series, Aussie Big Things.
2. New-look festival, same immersive multicultural experience
Source: Buda Arnedo.
The return of the National Multicultural Festival in February 2023 brought more than 350,000 people to the City Centre over three days. This photo captures the joy this event brings to so many.
The festival’s expanded layout was well received by the community and local businesses, with our team working with more than 30 local stores to provide attendees with special discounts and deals.
3.Small but mighty team keeps the City Centre beautiful
Source: Buda Arnedo
Our Place Team are the unsung heroes of the City Centre and, in 2022-23, carried out more than 12,000 hours of cleaning, planting and public space maintenance.
This image shows them working hard to maintain beautiful public spaces that locals and visitors enjoy spending time in.
4. Christmas comes early with free merry-go-round rides
Source: Kerrie Brewer
The beloved City Walk merry-go-round had what is sure to be its busiest month on record in December 2022.
The month of free rides was announced as part of our advent calendar Christmas campaign, which contributed to 42 per cent more evening visitors compared with previous years. This resulted in more than 20,000 free rides and $3 million more spent in local businesses.
5. Car lovers converge on Braddon for Summernats
Source: Bisou Photographs
The return of Summernats Braddon Fringe Festival in January was so well received it even saw this father and daughter break into dance on Braddon’s rainbow roundabout.
The event – which saw Lonsdale Street closed for a vehicle parade – more than doubled the amount of people who would usually attend Braddon at that time of year, contributing to more than $1 million in estimated spending at local businesses.
6. Streetscape upgrades bolster Lunar New Year Celebration
Source: Buda Arnedo
This photo of the Lunar New Year Celebration shows how our Woolley Street upgrade has enabled this large-scale event to flourish in Dickson.
The celebration provided more than 7000 locals and visitors with a feast for the senses and showcased the new outdoor dining experience made possible by our streetscape upgrades.
7. New community centre a touching tribute to disability advocate
Source: ACT Government
The Salthouse Community Centre opened in Haig Park in May 2023 and is providing a shared space for creativity, learning, physical activity, and connection.
This photo features a proud Luisa Fearnside attending the naming ceremony for the centre, which honours her late mother, Sue Salthouse. It was a touching moment to hear Luisa speak in front of a crowd of Sue’s family and friends.
8. Laneway transformation opens up dining and event possibilities
Source: Buda Arnedo
The Verity and Odgers Lane upgrades were completed in in June 2023, with the new spaces embraced by local businesses and event organisers.
The laneways – located in the historic Sydney and Melbourne Buildings – now feature decorative lighting, new asphalt paving and upgraded stormwater infrastructure.
This photo of a live music event run by local business Sideway shows the kind of special activities that the laneway upgrades are making possible.
9. City Illuminations lets families walk among dinosaurs
Source: Buda Arnedo
City Illuminations at the Enlighten Festival brought thousands of people to Civic Square in March 2023, featuring giant illuminations, prehistoric soundscapes and roving dinosaur puppets.
We even saw more people in the City Centre on the opening night than we did on New Year’s Eve, which has important flow-on impacts for local business.
10. A birds-eye view of our evolving city landscape
Source: Adam McGrath
This photo was taken for our landmark land release next to City Hill.
It’s a view we don’t often get to see of our beautiful City Centre and one that, in the years to come, will feature the homes and offices of thousands more people living and working in this evolving area.
11. Families embrace the array of Haig Park events
Image: Buda Arnedo
The transformation of Haig Park into a bustling and family-friendly public space was on show throughout FY22-23, with the Haig Park Village Markets, PAWS Parties and other special events.
This photo in May 2023 captures the spirit of the Play Outside Day and Salthouse Community Centre Community Open Day.
12. Snow arrives in the City Centre
Source: Buda Arnedo
Winter in the City – which started on 30 June 2023 – sneaks into our list. The event brought snow to Ainslie Place for the first time and included a 10-metre toboggan ride.
This photo captures just how much of hit the event was with many young families who didn’t have to travel so far to the snow this year. It brought in more than 24,000 locals and visitors and contribute almost $1.8m in local economic activity. Read our event review for more.
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Did you miss out on these events and activities in 2022-23? Not to worry! Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on upcoming events, projects and other activities.
Read our 2022-23 Annual Report to learn more about City Renewal Authority activities over the past 12 months.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
