The ACT Legislative Assembly has today passed the Planning Bill 2022 and in doing so has laid the foundation for the ACT's new planning system and Canberra's future.
Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick Gentleman said this significant milestone will provide a critical change to support Canberra growing and changing in a meaningful way to meet future challenges while maintaining and enhancing the city that we know and love.
"Planning affects everyone in our city. It is important that we have a modern planning system in place that will help keep our city sustainable and liveable while also responding to future challenges such as climate change," Minister Gentleman said.
"The Planning Bill sets the foundation for the reformed planning system to help us manage the growth Canberra will see over the coming decades without compromising the characteristics of the city we value.
"The new planning system provides the basis for an important shift towards an outcomes-focused system, which has been successfully implemented in other cities across the world. This will deliver positive outcomes for the city and for Canberrans.
"It means that new buildings and developments across Canberra will be required to consider the surrounding area and the impact they will have on wellbeing, health, recreation and the environment while supporting the neighbourhoods they are in.
"We have heard a range of views and considered feedback from the community, industry and the Assembly on how we should deliver these critical reforms to the way our territory is planned.
"The ACT Government has made significant changes following this feedback to strengthen the Bill, including a new clause to review the Act after 3 years; that the new design guides must be taken into consideration when making a decision on a development application; and introducing a two-stage notification process for significant developments so there is more opportunity for community input.
"The ACT Government is now finalising the other elements of the new system, including the district strategies and Territory Plan, as well as the design guides which will be released soon. The new Territory Plan will be presented to the Legislative Assembly so the new Planning Act can commence later this year."
You can find more information about the ACT Planning System Review and Reform project on the government's YourSay page.
This initiative progresses commitments of the Parliamentary Agreement of the 10th Legislative Assembly by the ACT Labor-Greens Government.
