Today marks the first day of the ACT’s new planning system, which Mick Gentleman, ACT Minister for Planning and Land Management, said will help to deliver 100,000 dwellings by 2050.

The ACT Government also released an update to the City Plan and a new City Centre Urban Design Guide that will guide development and design in the City Centre.

The government says the new system will provide the framework for better designed housing closer to shops and services, and includes more options to build better designed multi-unit housing and mixed use buildings.

Mr Gentleman said today’s launch of a new and modern planning system fit for our growing and sustainable city was a significant milestone for Canberra.

“We know the ACT will grow substantially over the coming decades,” Mr Gentleman said. “The new planning system allows us to plan for this growth in a measured and sustainable way.

“This planning will mean Canberrans have the services and infrastructure they need now and into the future.

“The new planning system is a once in a generation change that will deliver on our recommitted Planning Strategy, guiding our growth and prosperity into the future. The new planning system recognises the importance of protecting the many defining characters of our city that we value so much, such as our green space, while supporting infill and intensification locations to achieve a more sustainable and liveable city.

“The government has also released an update of the 2014 City Plan today which provides a clear vision and framework for future development in the City Centre as a place for all Canberrans.

“The City Plan is supported by a new City Centre Urban Design Guide that works alongside the previously announced Housing and Urban Design Guides to improve development outcomes and guide the design and assessment of developments in the City Centre.

“Community and industry training programs on the new planning system have been occurring since September. This training helps the community to familiarise themselves with the changes that affect them to help positively shape Canberra.

“To date, we have seen over 2000 people attend training session,; which is a great outcome. Attendees have come from industry and community – highlighting the importance of ongoing communication and working in partnership to achieve the benefits of the new system for Canberra.”

Development applications under the previous system will continue to be assessed.

This initiative fulfills a large number of commitments of the Parliamentary Agreement of the 10th Legislative Assembly by the ACT Government, Mr Gentleman said.

However, the Canberra Liberals do not believe the planning system will work.

“The planning system review was flawed from the start and has now been rushed through by a government intent on box-ticking consultation,” Peter Cain MLA, Shadow Minister for Planning and Land Management, said.

The Canberra Liberals have maintained that the planning system has not received a fit and proper independent assessment, and so should not be supported. Earlier this year, Mr Cain called for an independent review of the changes to the planning system, to be conducted by a panel of planning and architecture experts.

“Community and industry stakeholders have expressed concerns with me that they are not adequately prepared for this new system and Canberrans will ultimately pay the price for this,” Mr Cain said.

“The previous rules-based system was hamstrung by issues of governance and compliance which created uncertainty for stakeholders. The new outcomes-focussed system has not only failed to address these, but exacerbated them.

“The premature launch of this contentious new system embodies the Labor-Greens government’s approach to this framework as planning for profit, not people.”

More information about the Planning System and the City Plan is available on the ACT Government’s new Planning website.