Missing middle housing
To meet its target of 30,000 new homes by 2030, the ACT Government will permit more low-rise ‘missing middle’ (medium density) homes — two to three homes on a block, townhouses, terrace homes, and low-rise apartments — in suburbs.
“Right now, Canberra is characterised by single dwelling detached homes in the suburbs and high-rise apartments in our town centres, without much housing stock in-between,” planning minister Chris Steel MLA said. “We want to provide more homes for Canberrans where they want to live…”
The government has published a ‘missing middle’ housing design guide for the construction industry, develop by architects and professionals; and a major amendment to the Territory Plan, which changes what can be built in residential zones.
It would remove minimum block sizes for additional dwellings in suburban RZ1 areas; remove a 120 square metre limit for secondary dwellings; allow block submissions; and permit townhouses, terraces and low-rise apartments to be built up to two storeys. It also increases canopy cover requirements from 15 to 25 per cent; site coverage requirements for homes built across a block will remain at 45 per cent.
The public can comment on these documents until 22 July. Long-form submissions will be accepted until 5 August.
The Master Builders Association of the ACT welcomed the reforms, saying they could drastically increase the housing supply, fast-track approvals for mid-density homes, and set the ACT on a path to meeting its National Housing Accord Target, at risk of failing to meet.
“This is great news for our industry, for our members and for our capital,” CEO Anna Neelagama said. “Medium and higher density housing is a key part of the puzzle to boosting the pipeline of construction and ultimately, providing more homes for Canberrans.”
The Real Estate Institute of the ACT (REIACT) supported greater flexibility in housing choice for ACT residents via amendments to the planning system, but thought the emphasis should be on quality rather than on quantity.
“The success of this policy change depends on the incentives available for existing property owners to participate, and the ‘feel good’ social factor of creating more housing is not going to outweigh the economic impact of construction costs and taxes on would-be developers’ budgets,” CEO Maria Edwards said.
The Canberra Liberals characterised the policy as a revenue grab to pay off the government’s $15 billion debt. Party leader Leanne Castley MLA said that the value of residential land would increase, driving up household rates, regardless of whether development occurred on a homeowner’s property.
“Labor says this policy is about fixing the missing middle in housing, but it’s really about fixing the missing middle in their budget,” Ms Castley said.
The Liberals believe that to deliver accessible and affordable homes for Canberrans, the government should improve the pathway for development approvals; accelerate land release; and reform the Lease Variation Charge — which the REIACT says can be expensive for units in Woden and Belconnen when not spread among multiple owners, and, when coupled with potential increases to rates and land tax on blocks eligible to be developed, will affect homeowners considering redeveloping their property. Otherwise, Ms Castley said, young people’s ability to buy homes would be limited.
“While cautiously optimistic about these rezoning plans, these proposed changes are not a silver bullet to addressing the ACT’s ongoing housing affordability and supply issues,” Ms Castley said.
ACT Greens deputy leader Jo Clay advocated ‘missing middle’ housing last term. She said today’s policy announcement was a result of the Greens pushing the government to act to build new homes without sacrificing the environment to new suburbs.
MyWay+
The smart ticketing system MyWay+ was promised to “transform public transport in Canberra and make it an even more attractive choice for consumers”, but since it came online in November, it has been plagued by problems: faulty machines and QR codes, eccentric route planners, and putting customers’ credit card details online.
Two months before MyWay+ was launched, transport minister Chris Steel MLA allegedly received an independent report by Projects Assured warning that the system was “sub-optimal but functional”; that the government was avoiding robust conversations to resolve issues, in order to maintain positive working relationships; and that the transition was not adequately planned.
A spokesperson for Mr Steel said that Transport Canberra responded to the recommendations in the assurance review and advised the minister that they had addressed any critical items before MyWay+ went live on 27 November, after a six-week trial period, during which buses were fitted out with the ticketing hardware.
“Project reviews like this are standard practice for the management of significant or complex projects across the public and private sector,” the spokesperson said.
Canberra Liberals leader Leanne Castley MLA said Mr Steel had prioritised publicity over performance.
“Some of the comments and findings in the review are quite astounding, and given [Mr Steel] gave the go-ahead knowing these issues is quite astounding. He was clearly more worried about public pressure than delivering a high-quality system for Canberrans.”
It was, Ms Castley remarked, another major project Mr Steel had “botched”, following the $75 million HRIMS project scrapped last term.
The ACT Greens insist that Mr Steel apologise for letting the system go live despite warnings, and that he fix the problems.
“Minister Steel chose his relationship with a consultant over the basic rights of Canberrans to access public transport in their city,” Greens transport spokesman Andrew Braddock MLA said. “Since launch, validators have not worked, senior Canberrans and those with a disability have been locked out from the system, and Canberrans’ personal and payment information has been put at risk to hackers. There is nothing seamless or world-class about an inaccessible and insecure transport system.”
Independent MLA Thomas Emerson believes that MyWay+ breaches anti-discrimination legislation, as the ACT Government did not employ a disability access specialist to assess whether the system complied, and referred the matter to the ACT Human Rights Commission last month. Mr Steel stated that employing the specialist would cost more, and that the system complied with accessibility standards; however, the specialist considered last year has now been employed to assess the system. Mr Emerson insists that the government must uphold its commitment to universal design, which requires that disabled people have access to the same quality of services, without barriers, as the wider community.
Flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la
The 38th Floriade festival, Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, will be held in Commonwealth Park from Saturday 13 September to Sunday 12 October.
This year’s theme is Science and Nature, celebrating connections between scientific discovery and the natural world. Garden bed displays will be inspired by disciplines including physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, and botany. Hands-on exhibits, expert speakers, and workshops will showcase the intersection of horticulture and science.
Floriade will also feature live entertainment, music, food and wine, market stalls, and cultural events.
Highlights include:
- NightFest (2–5 October, 6:30pm to 10:30pm): Four nights of after-dark entertainment, illuminated garden displays, food stalls, and live performances. Tickets on sale from 21 July.
- Windows to the World at Floriade (11 October): A cultural showcase with traditional dress, music, dance, global cuisine, and coffee ahead of the larger Windows to the World weekend (18–19 October).
- Dogs’ Day Out (12 October): On Floriade’s final day, visitors can enjoy the blooms with their pets.
- Great Big Bulb Dig (13 October): Take home a piece of Floriade and support local charities.
Entry to Floriade is free. Gates open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm. For more information, visit floriadeaustralia.com.
