ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay successfully moved amendments to add community housing projects under the ACT Government's proposal to waive third party appeal rights for public housing projects listed as a Territory Priority Project.
The legislation passed yesterday in Parliament with all Greens amendments adopted, which also include provisions for nature conservation and First Nations cultural protection before Government can declare a development as a Territory Priority Project.
Ms Clay said that now the legislation has passed, the Labor Government needs to step up, deliver more homes and drastically increase public housing stock to support the more than 3,500 Canberra households facing homelessness.
"These changes provide a real opportunity for the ACT Government to push ahead and deliver the public housing stock Canberra needs," Ms Clay said.
"The amendments passed yesterday ensure that public, community and social housing is prioritised. It's a move which upholds the principles of housing as a human right - which is now enshrined in legislation following the passage of an ACT Greens bill earlier this year.
The ACT Greens took an ambitious program to increase public housing numbers at the last election and since, under a Labor minority Government, we've only seen the waiting list rise.
"While at the same time we've seen funding pools for community housing from the Commonwealth and Territory Government increase. Community housing providers have told us that certainty on timing is a critical factor that Government's consider when allocating funding.
"The ACT Greens know we can have both homes and the environment. We cannot and should not sacrifice nature for development - we've seen the government agree after community advocacy to protect places like Bluetts Block and Coombs Peninsula as nature reserves.
"We are also pushing Government to establish urban growth boundaries, which includes finalising the future of the Western Edge and Eastern Broadacre areas.
"As our city continues to densify, we also need to ensure people have access to green spaces and nature. Our amendments also ensure there is a degree of scrutiny without delaying new public and community homes from being built.
"Community input is important and should be considered. While these changes take away third party appeal rights through the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal for some developments, Canberrans can still make submissions on Development Applications, which will be considered by the Minister with advice from the independent Territory Planning Authority.
"We have also set a timeframe to review these changes and put a sunset clause end date on them so future Parliaments can consider what worked well, what needs to change and assess whether the Government have delivered the right outcomes."
The ACT Greens consulted with the housing industry, community housing providers, environment organisations, Labor, Liberals and the Independents on the amendments before the amendments and legislation passed yesterday.
As stated by Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Canberra, Frances Crimmins:
"YWCA Canberra welcomes the ACT Greens' decision to support sensible planning reforms that will facilitate the delivery of much-needed social, community and public housing in Canberra.
"Our city is facing an unprecedented housing and homelessness crisis, and meaningful change is long overdue to address the critical need for housing for low-income earners.
"Canberrans now face a clear choice: do we continue to see people experiencing homelessness on our streets, or do we choose to ensure they have a place to call home in our neighbourhoods?
"We can no longer afford to overlook practical and effective legislative reforms that will expedite the construction of public, social and affordable homes.
"This amendment makes sense. It supports low-income Canberrans and brings us closer to a community where everyone has a safe place to live."
Ms Clay's amendments and explanatory statement are available on the ACT Legislative Assembly website.
