Major construction of the Dickson Shops upgrade will get underway in early 2026. Improvements include new paving, lighting, seating, plantings and more.
The project is a thoughtfully designed transformation to better serve the local community. The upgrade focuses on sustainability, accessibility, and community—creating a space that’s safer, greener, and more welcoming for everyone.
Before Dickson became a suburban centre, it was home to Canberra’s original aerodrome between 1924 and 1926—covering much of what is now the Dickson Shops. The site also witnessed Canberra’s first air crash in 1926.
By the 1940s, the area had shifted to agricultural research as the Dickson Experiment Station, trialling crops and studying soils to support Australia’s wartime and post-war needs. Urban development began in the late 1950s, with the first homes and infrastructure paving the way for the Dickson Shops to emerge as a local centre.
Now, nearly a century after its first transformation, Dickson is being renewed once again. With the area's population growing rapidly, the upcoming shops upgrade will retain its distinct character while creating a safer, greener, and more inclusive space for current and future residents to enjoy.
More on Dickon’s history can be found on the Dickson Residents Group website.
The upgrade introduces a range of improvements designed to enhance both function and experience:
Following public consultation in March and April 2024, we’ve enhanced the design in response to community feedback. The final design for the project includes more trees, better seating, and improved bike spaces. There are also new features like tiered seating and a small performance deck in Taglietti Square.
Further changes include reusing more of the red brick paving to retain the unique character of the area. We’ve also replaced ground-level garden beds with paving in the area between the Post Office and Cowper Street, allowing for more room in this busy pedestrian connection.
Current image (before) and artist’s impression (after) of a renewed Taglietti Square looking southwest towards Woolworths.
Accessibility is at the heart of the design. The upgrade will deliver more level paving, decluttered spaces like Taglietti Square, and larger disability parking spaces at footpath level.
Visitors will benefit from 27 freestanding seats and 50 bike racks, 15 of which are designed to accommodate cargo and trailer bikes—making it easier for everyone to enjoy the space.
Covering 6,503 m² of public space, the upgrade will replace around 4,400 m², or 10 basketball courts worth of paving. This includes the reuse of existing red bricks to retain the shops’ familiar character.
A major stormwater infrastructure upgrade will accompany the surface improvements, laying over 1.2 kilometres of new pipes and more than 40 stormwater pits to manage drainage and runoff. Permeable paving and garden beds will take the total permeable surface area to 12%.
Gardens will benefit from drought-tolerant plantings and passive irrigation through ground-level beds, helping to manage stormwater runoff, divert more water into gardens and reduce urban heat. These improvements will help ensure the shops remain resilient and green.
Current image (before) and artist’s impression (after) looking east towards Cowper Street and Dickson Pool.
The revitalisation includes the planting of 14 new trees and 1,122 new garden plants. Of these, 83% are native species, and 236 plants represent six culturally significant species from the Ngunnawal plant use guide.
These additions will increase the tree canopy cover to 47%, creating a cooler, more comfortable and pleasant environment to spend time in. The estimated garden bed area is around 9% of the site, or 585 m², offering beauty, and a connection to Country.
These improvements will make a big difference. Improving the area’s appeal will create a more welcoming environment and encourage visitors to spend more time in the area, which has both social benefits for the local community, and benefits for property owners and businesses.
Current image (before) and artist’s impression (after) central area of the Dickson Shops looking west towards Woolworths.
Public art is woven into the design. The shops’ existing sculptures will be integrated into the new layout, while “Taglietti Square” will be marked using brass letters in paving.
Outside the post office, playfully tiered seating will offer a creative and functional space to rest and gather. Blue Sheep and Guard Dog (Bev Hogg, 2000), along with four sculptures (a fairy, aeroplane, dog and bird) by the late Matthew Harding will be retained.
Complex Co has been appointed as the construction partner to complete the Dickson Shops upgrade. Early work, including site investigations, will be undertaken this year with major construction starting in early 2026.
Blending the area's character with new features, community feedback and sustainable design, the Dickson Shops will be renewed into a place where people can connect, relax, and enjoy themselves.
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.
