Missing middle report done – now pass the reforms
The Property Council of Australia today welcomed the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Environment and Planning inquiry report into the Missing Middle Housing Reform and called on the ACT Government to move quickly to finalise and start the Territory Plan changes.
The Standing Committee has recommended the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development approve DPA‑04, with the report's recommendations incorporated.
Property Council ACT & Capital Region Executive Director Ashlee Berry said the report should be the circuit breaker that turns a long running policy debate into delivery - particularly with dwelling approvals already at historic lows and the need for a stronger pipeline of well-located homes.
"We've been consistent in warning about the consequences of delay. ACT building approvals in 2024-25 were just 2,831 dwellings – the lowest level since the 2008 financial crisis," Ms Berry said.
"While yesterday's State of the Housing System 2026 report from the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council showed the ACT is currently on track to deliver against its National Housing Accord target, there's no room for complacency. We need to keep urgency behind this task.
"The ACT may be tracking well on housing delivery relative to other jurisdictions, but that position is fragile if feasibility continues to deteriorate under cost and delivery pressures."
Ms Berry said the Committee's findings reinforced issues consistently raised by the Property Council throughout the inquiry, particularly around feasibility, block consolidation settings, monitoring and the role of the Lease Variation Charge (LVC).
"The Committee acknowledged evidence from industry on what will determine whether these reforms actually translate into homes – including the need to address feasibility, get the consolidation settings right, and review the LVC," she said.
"We're almost 12 months on from the Government's initial consultation on the reforms in May last year, and more than six months on from the referral of DPA‑04 to the Legislative Assembly.
"Canberra doesn't need any more debate – it needs homes. With clear support across the Assembly for these reforms, there's no excuse not to pass them. The Committee has pointed to a clear path: approve DPA‑04 and get the reforms working, while tightening the settings around infrastructure, parking, heat and canopy so delivery is well managed.
"But if we want missing middle housing to happen at scale, we also have to deal with feasibility – that means real progress on LVC and a planning system that turns approvals into completions.
"The Property Council is ready to work with the ACT Government to implement the report's recommendations, with robust monitoring to track where missing middle housing is being approved, started and completed – and to adjust the settings if needed," Ms Berry said.
