Property Council ACT Executive Director Ashlee Berry said the proposal was an important step in delivering the homes Canberrans need in the right locations.
"The Northern Gateway draft amendment shows what can be achieved when the planning system aligns housing supply with infrastructure and transport. With light rail stops at Swindon Street and Phillip Avenue, this uplift is a textbook example of compact, transit-oriented growth," Ms Berry said.
"The Northern Gateway changes are part of the ACT's plan to put more homes in well-located areas rather than pushing the city further out. Building heights will remain modest - two storeys in Watson and up to five storeys along parts of Northbourne Avenue.
"Our members have consistently called for more diverse housing options near jobs, transport, and services. This proposal provides exactly that - opportunities for townhouses, terraces and apartments that meet demand at different price points and support population growth to 2050," she said.
The Property Council noted several positives for the community and industry:
- Real pipeline - ~1,000 additional homes in established suburbs, providing certainty for industry and investors.
- Product mix - a greater diversity of housing types, supporting affordability and choice.
- Infrastructure-ready - existing utilities, two light rail stops, and traffic modelling showing only minor impacts to 2051.
- Policy aligned - consistent with the Planning Strategy, Inner North District Strategy, and Planning Minister's Statement of Priorities.
- Community benefits - new residents will activate local centres, support jobs, and strengthen the vibrancy of Downer and Watson.
"With the ACT facing a target of 30,000 new homes by 2030, every credible proposal matters. This is the kind of smart, well-located density our submissions to government have consistently championed," Ms Berry said.
"Industry needs certainty to deliver. The faster these rezonings translate to DA-ready land, the sooner we can get homes built and meet the community's needs," she said.
