ACT’s ‘Significant’ Reforms Unlock Missing Middle

Thousands more row houses, duplexes and lowrise apartments could be added to ACT’s housing inventory after the territory won community support for the “most significant” planning changes in decades. 

The ACT Government says the final draft major plan amendment to its Territory Plan will fill the missing middle and help deliver 30,000 homes by 2030.

The news comes as a 168-townhouse proposal in Canberra’s south-west has been put forward by The Village Building Co, which has already built 12,000 homes in the national capital. 

The plans for the scheme across 17 buildings are on notification until November 14.

The plan would occupy 3.7ha of a 5.86ha site zoned for RZ4 Medium Density Residential between Unwin and Heysen streets and Streeton Drive at Weston, 12km south-west of the CBD.

It would be the first residential development on the block that sits behind the Islamic School of Canberra, according to planning documents.

▲ A rendering of the 168-townhouse proposal at Weston.

ACT joins missing middle push

The ACT reforms follow the low and midrise reforms of NSW that came into effect in February, prompting a surge in development applications for sites near train stations across Sydney.

ACT planning minister Chris Steel said the changes would lead to a strengthening of existing vibrant suburbs thanks to a diverse range of housing types previously not permitted.

“We heard strong support for allowing homeowners to subdivide their blocks before construction,” Steel said.

“We’ve updated the design guidance and subdivision policies to give homeowners more flexibility within the requirements to provide greater opportunity for subdivision of large residential blocks.”

▲ Rendering of the townhouse development planned for Weston.

Property Council of Australia ACT executive director Ashlee Berry said it was a big step forward in tackling the territory’s housing challenges. 

“This is the most significant modernisation of Canberra’s residential zoning in decades, it offers the chance finally to unlock the potential of thousands of underutilised blocks,” Berry said.

“This must be the start of a new chapter, not the end. With building approvals at record lows and housing starts down more than 50 per cent in just two years, we need to focus now on delivery.”

The revised draft with updates from the community consultation will be referred to the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Transport and Planning, which may conduct an inquiry if needed.