The ACT government is moving to have the Molonglo Valley reclassified as Canberra’s sixth town centre in a bid to allow greater development and growth in the commercial precinct.

The region in Canberra’s west was originally planned to house around 55,000 residents, but the population is now expected to grow to 70,000 people by 2050.

The government will put its case to the National Capital Authority to officially change the National Capital Plan and designate the Molonglo Valley a town centre.