The last round of draft variations under the existing Territory Plan are now open for community feedback. The plan is being wound down as part of the ACT Government’s Planning System Review and Reform Project.

Mick Gentleman, ACT Minister for Planning and Land Management, said Territory Plan Variations are one of the most important tools the ACT Government has to facilitate residential and commercial development that meets the changing needs of Canberrans. 

“The Territory Plan sets out the conditions that determine what can be built and where, as well as how buildings in different locations can be used,” Mr Gentleman said. “Variations to the Territory Plan alter these conditions.

“A variation might, for example, see a block of land change from commercial to residential use, or from industrial to community use. These decisions impact how residents and other users experience and interact with that area. 

“This is what makes Territory Plan variations so important, and why I’m asking Canberrans to have their say on the draft variations we currently have open for community feedback.”

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The draft variations propose changes to a number of sites around the ACT, including to the former Phillip Pitch ‘n Putt site in Woden, to Kamberra Winery in Lyneham, and to the Amtech estate in Symonston.

Draft Variation 382 – Phillip Pitch ’n Putt

The draft Territory Plan variation proposed for the former Phillip Pitch ’n Putt site in Woden would allow apartment towers to be built on the site.

“This could provide a raft of new housing for our growing population,” Mr Gentleman said. “And it’s in a location with good access to public transport – the Woden Bus Interchange and future Light Rail corridor, which would support Canberrans living in the precinct to get where they need to go without necessarily having to drive a car. This would contribute to the emissions reduction goals in the ACT.”

Draft Variation 383 – Kamberra Winery

The draft Territory Plan variation proposes to allow a mix of commercial and residential uses along the western side of the Federal Highway from the Barton Highway. This would require changing the zoning from NUZ1 Broadacre Zone, commonly light industrial use, to Commercial CZ5 Mixed Use zone and Parks and Recreation PRZ1 Urban Open Space Zone.

“It will mean that this site, which is close to one of our major transport corridors, can be enjoyed by more Canberrans,” Mr Gentleman said.

Draft Variation 385 – Amtech Estate in Symonston

“Originally built in the 1990s as a business hub for technology research and manufacturing industries, rapid change in the business environment over the last 20 years has seen the demand shift at this prime location,” Mr Gentleman said.

The draft Territory Plan variation for this site would enable non-polluting operations – including craft workshops, indoor recreation facilities, stores, cafes, restaurants, and bars – to operate on the site.

“Convenient access to these kinds of goods and services would provide fantastic amenity to people working and living in the area,” Mr Gentleman said.

Draft Territory Plan variations for the Federal Golf Course and Deakin Office Park, in line with the Red Hill Integrated Plan (2021), are also available for review and feedback.

Draft Variations 380 and 384 – Federal Golf Course and Deakin Office Park

The changes proposed to Federal Golf Course in Red Hill would enable up to 125 retirement units to be built on the southern part of the site.

“This would be an important contribution to housing choice in the ACT and provide ageing residents with the option to downsize while remaining in the community they know and love,” Mr Gentleman said.

“We considered more than 900 pieces of community feedback as part of the Red Hill Integrated Plan consultation, which considered the most sustainable and liveable uses of land in the wider area, including Deakin Office Park.

Accordingly, a separate draft territory plan variation proposes to rezone a portion of Deakin Office Park to include it in Red Hill Nature Reserve, while a second section would be rezoned to made into Urban Open Space to retain the current link to the nature reserve.

Draft Variation 387 – Non-standard blocks in RZ1 (DV387)

This draft variation seeks to limit the number of dwellings to two, Crown Lease permitting, on non-standard blocks in the Residential RZ1 zone in older Canberra suburbs, Mr Gentleman said.

The proposal also aims to limit subdivision of a dual occupancy development on a non-standard block in the RZ1 zone to only that which is permitted under the Unit Titles Act 2001 and only where both dwellings in the dual occupancy have been lawfully constructed.

“I’m looking forward to hearing from Canberrans about these draft variations, as they are the final ones that will be processed under the ACT Government’s existing planning system,” Mr Gentleman said.

The government will share drafts of a new Territory Plan and a series of District Strategies, which are cornerstones of the ACT Government’s Planning System Review and Reform Project, very soon.

“This will be an opportunity for Canberrans to share their ideas and concerns more generally about the types of development and uses of land they feel are a priority for their neighbourhoods and the areas they care about,” Mr Gentleman said.

To find out more about these draft Territory Plan variations and to have your say on them, visit: https://www.planning.act.gov.au/planning-our-city/territory-plan/draft_variations_to_the_territory_plan

To find out more about the Planning System Review and Reform Project, visit: https://www.yoursay.act.gov.au/