Jacka, Australian Capital Territory

Jacka is a suburb of Gungahlin, Canberra, the National Capital of Australia. The suburb was gazetted on 25 April 2001 and development began in 2013. It had some residents at the beginning of 2014. The suburb is named after Albert Jacka, the first Australian to be decorated with the Victoria Cross during the First World War, receiving the medal for his actions during the Gallipoli Campaign.[2] Jacka is located in north Gungahlin adjacent to the existing suburb of Amaroo and the future suburbs of Taylor, Bonner and Moncrieff. The suburb is located approximately 4 km from the Gungahlin Town Centre and 16 km from the centre of Canberra.

Jacka
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Jacka
Coordinates35°09′07″S 149°07′41″E
Population670 (2016 census)[1]
Established2001
Postcode(s)2914
DistrictGungahlin
Territory electorate(s)Yerrabi
Federal Division(s)Fenner
Suburbs around Jacka:
Taylor Jacka Bonner
Moncrieff Amaroo Bonner
Some of the first houses in Jacka

Development

The suburb when finished is expected to accommodate approximately 1500 blocks[3] and contain a variety in housing types including:

  • Standard residential;
  • Medium and higher density residential;
  • Compact block housing in the locations identified in the Compact Block Housing for New Estates; and
  • "Affordable housing" in accordance with the Affordable Housing Action Plan.

Heritage

An important feature within the suburb is the Horse Park Wetlands located in the southern central part of the central valley.[3] The Wetlands along with the 'Horse Park Homestead Complex, Sedgeland and Surrounds' are now listed on the Register of the National Estate. The Wetland is an important habitat for Latham's snipe Gallinargo hardwickii, a small bird that migrates annually from South East Australia to north half a semi-sphere away to the climes of Japan and China. The Wetlands and Homestead have also been nominated for inclusion on the ACT Heritage Register.

Geography

Jacka's concept plan specifies green buffers along creeklines, and the inclusion of bushland parks. Jacka's southern boundary where two creeks drain the suburb into Amaroo is its lowest point 628 metres. The suburb rises 80 metres to 708 metres on its eastern boundary. Mostly the suburb covers a valley floor with a line of three hills in a north west line in the western side.

Geology
See also: Geology of the Australian Capital Territory

The rocks of the area are late middle Silurian period. They are called Canberra Formation and consist of slate, shale, and mudstone with a patch each of dacite, ashstone and tuff.[4]

Future site of Jacka suburb with Horse Park Homestead to right, photographed from Horse Park Drive

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Jacka (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  2. "Suburb Name search results". ACT Environment and Sustainable Development. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  3. ACT Planning and Land Authority (2008), Jacka Concept Plan, ACT Parliamentary Counsel
  4. Henderson, G A M; Matveev, G (1980), Geology of Canberra, Queanbeyan and Environs 1:50000
Jacka is towards the back as a green patch in this aerial photo from the east
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