The ACT Government says Canberrans broadly support proposed planning reforms to boost housing diversity in established suburbs, following the conclusion of short-form consultation on the ‘missing middle’ strategy.
Proposed changes include allowing two-storey townhouses and low-rise apartments; removing minimum block sizes in RZ1 zones and the 120m2 cap on secondary dwellings; subdividing and consolidating blocks; increasing minimum tree canopy cover from 15 to 20 per cent; and maintaining maximum site coverage at 45 per cent.
Planning minister Chris Steel MLA said the reforms — aimed at increasing the supply of low-rise townhouses, terrace homes, and duplexes — attracted strong community interest, and that 72 per cent of participants in pop-up events favoured the changes.
“Canberrans want more housing choice in existing suburbs, where and how they want to live,” Mr Steel said. “Addressing the ‘missing middle’ will ensure that there’s more housing choice, whether you’re a first home buyer, supporting a growing family, or wanting to age in place in the community you love.”
More than 15,000 people visited the consultation webpage, and more than 500 attended in-person and online events. Long-form submissions remain open until 5 August.
The Real Estate Institute of the ACT (REIACT) expressed broad support for the reforms as an opportunity to encourage more than just high-rise development in the ACT. But CEO Maria Edwards cautioned that planning reform was only one part of the process.
“The success of the new legislation will need to be measured in the outcomes, not just the opportunity,” she said. “Lease variation charges remain a barrier for many missing middle projects. At the end of the day, if there isn’t economic feasibility for projects, they simply won’t go ahead.”
ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay MLA welcomed the government’s announcement, but said Canberrans had called for action for years.
“It’s about time the ACT Labor Government listens to what the community has been asking for over the past few years,” Ms Clay said. “People have been loud and clear that they want more housing choice — townhouses, low rise units, terrace houses — and near the things they need for the lifestyle they want.”
The Greens announced their missing middle policy two years ago, in 2023, because Labor had spent five years working on a planning review that did not deliver the reforms the public wanted or needed, Ms Clay claimed. She said the Greens, who held the balance of power in the Assembly, had pushed Labor to commit to real reform and agree to city limits.
“We can build more, high quality homes without paving over nature.”
The Territory Planning Authority will now review submissions and may adjust the reforms before submitting a Draft Major Plan Amendment for the Assembly to consider. That body could amend or reject the final package. Mr Steel will finalise the Design Guide for endorsement.
Labor defends handling of withheld project documents amid Liberal criticism
The Canberra Liberals have accused the ACT Government of defying a Legislative Assembly order by withholding business cases for major infrastructure projects, including for the Aquatic Centre, Canberra Stadium, the Convention Centre, raising London Circuit, and the Telstra Tower development.
Opposition leader Leanne Castley MLA claimed that Labor had kept 52 of 53 business cases secret under a claim of privilege, without providing the required statements outlining public interest risks.
“The community are sick of Labor trying to keep the truth from them,” Ms Castley said. “These are public projects, funded with public money, and the public has a right to know what Labor is hiding.”
The documents were due under a 213A order the Assembly passed on 24 June. Ms Castley said the government had initially supported the motion, but withheld the documents “at the last minute”.
In response, a government spokesperson said the required documents were submitted before the 3pm deadline on Friday 18 July.
The Clerk’s Office began distributing them to MLAs at 3:50pm. The Privilege Statement of Reasons, explaining why the government claimed privilege in certain business cases, was distributed at 5.05pm, after the Liberals had issued their media release at 4:52pm. The Clerk’s Office apologised for not distributing the Privilege Statement of Reasons earlier.
The spokesperson said the government had followed standard Assembly processes and submitted statements justifying any redactions.
“These are important processes that appropriately balance transparency with the need to protect commercially sensitive material and the integrity of government decision-making.”
Ms Castley said she would write to the Clerk to challenge the claim of privilege.
