YVETTE Berry says the cross-border community that will include the recently announced Belconnen suburbs of Strathnairn and Macnamara has today been named Ginninderry, derived from an Aboriginal word meaning “sparkling” or “throwing out little rays of light” and relates to the area’s beautiful rivers and creeks.

“Variations of the word Ginninderry have historically been used to describe the region in written records dating back to 1829,” Yvette said.

“By naming this new community Ginninderry the project recognises the historical and cultural significance of the area.

“Its use as a name for this community is especially fitting because of the importance the joint venture places on protecting the environmental corridor around the Murrumbidgee River and Ginninderra Creek.

“Protecting and respecting the unique environment of the area is a key objective of the project. Set on 1623 hectares, the development will contain 800 hectares of protected open space, including about 600 hectares that will be set aside to be maintained as a conservation, bushfire management and recreation area.

“There is also a major focus on community, so it is important that the project’s first new building is a multi-purpose facility that will be available to the whole community.

“The multi-purpose centre, called The Link, will be a hub and meeting space for community groups and organisations and an entry point and visitor centre for the conservation corridor that runs along the Murrumbidgee River and Ginninderra Creek.

“Like the community that it will support, the centre will be sustainable. As well as having a solar array to supply power it will be built using a high level of recycled content, predominantly rely on passive systems for heating and cooling and will collect rainwater for use throughout the building and its grounds.”