The ACT Government has passed new laws to speed up the construction of public and community housing by removing third-party appeals and granting priority project status to social housing developments.

“These housing reforms will support the rapid delivery of social housing for those most in need,” planning minister Chris Steel MLA said.

The reforms amend the Territory Priority Project framework so that public and community housing proposals will no longer be subject to ACAT appeals — a process the government says has delayed more than 100 homes since 2019, often by up to a year.

In more than 75 per cent of these, ACAT upheld the original approval, or specified minor amendments.

Nearly 95 per cent of public homes have been clustered in the inner-north and inner-south. 

Mr Steel argued the changes were necessary to deliver the government’s target of 30,000 new homes by 2030, including 5000 new public, community and affordable homes.

The new laws bring the ACT into line with NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia where appeals are not permitted for public and community housing projects.

“Unfair third party appeals of public housing projects don’t exist in major states,” Mr Steel said. “The only outcome … is delay to much needed public and community housing by up to a year, depriving the most vulnerable Canberrans of shelter.”

Mr Steel said the reforms were developed with the social and affordable housing sector to ensure community housing projects could be fast-tracked.

Housing minister Yvette Berry MLA said the priority status would speed up construction for those on the public housing waitlist.

“With too many Canberrans on the waitlist for public housing, many of whom are experiencing a range of vulnerabilities, the ACT Government must pull out all the stops to get homes built as quickly as possible.

“The Territory Priority Projects process provides a pathway to achieve this goal, while maintaining the normal development application process that still enables neighbours and other parties to be consulted and have voice in the process.”

The Property Council of Australia endorsed the reforms, calling them a “strong step” toward unlocking stalled projects.

ACT executive director Ashlee Berry said priority status for community housing sends a clear message that social housing will be treated as essential infrastructure.

“Fast-tracking public and community housing is the right call,” Ms Berry said. “It means projects that deliver homes for people who need them most will spend less time tied up in appeals and more time on site.” 

She said removing the risk of third-party appeals would improve feasibility and unlock more supply. 

“By reducing that risk for well-designed public and community housing, the Government is sending a clear message that it is serious about tackling the housing shortage.”