The Government has today taken a major step towards delivering more housing options for Canberrans.
Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development Chris Steel has approved Major Plan Amendment 04 to the Territory plan. The landmark reforms are designed to enable more "Missing Middle" homes to be built within existing residential areas, providing genuine housing choice for Canberrans.
"For too long, the planning system has effectively prevented building anything in-between high-rise apartments or a freestanding house on most blocks in Canberra," Minister Steel said.
"These reforms address a major gap in Canberra's housing stock, and will enable more homes, and housing choice for Canberrans.
"Enabling the missing middle will restore balance and will unlock the supply of low-rise homes that will fit gently into Canberra's existing streets and neighbourhoods.
"Whether you are a first home buyer looking to break into the market, a growing family needing more space, or an older Canberran wanting to age in in the community that you love, these changes will provide more choice at every stage of life."
'Missing Middle' housing includes multi-occupancy housing, townhouses, terraces and low‑rise apartments.
By opening up these options in Suburban (RZ1) and Suburban Core (RZ2) residential zones, which make up the huge majority the residential blocks in the ACT, the Government is providing a practical framework for more well-designed and well-located housing.
Under the reforms, the height limit on RZ1 blocks will remain at two storeys (plus attic). Multi-unit, missing middle homes of up to three storeys (plus attic) will be permitted on RZ2 blocks which are typically in well-located areas closer to shopping centres. Both subdivision and block consolidation would also be permitted in both zones.
The Missing Middle reforms are a critical contributor to the Government's target of enabling 30,000 new homes by 2030. The reforms will help ensure new housing supply is built in existing suburbs, which are well connected to amenities and services, rather than relying on costly and unsustainable urban sprawl.
Following the Legislative Assembly's Standing Committee on Transport and Planning Inquiry into DPA-04, the final amendments to the Territory Plan have been further refined to ensure desired zone policy outcomes and streetscape character, and public domain impacts related to parking are appropriately considered during the development assessment process.
Supporting documents, which are consequential to amendments to the Territory Plan in MPA-04, have also been updated to support MPA-04. Amendments have also been made to the Residential Zones Technical Specification to clarify requirements for private open spaces, and community and principal private open spaces.
The Missing Middle Housing Design Guide has also been updated to provide additional guidance regarding block consolidation in response to recommendations by the Committee.
The approved amendment will now be presented to the Legislative Assembly, whereby a notice of motion to reject MPA-04 may be moved within the following five sitting days.
"It's now up to Members of the Assembly to decide if they will support the Government's practical reforms to increase housing supply for our growing city," Minister Steel said.
