Property Council ACT & Capital Region Executive Director Ashlee Berry said the stamp duty changes reflected long-standing advocacy from industry and marked one of the most important reforms in the Budget.
"This is a major win and a reform the Property Council has consistently called for," Ms Berry said.
"In particular, the Treasurer's decision to permanently abolish stamp duty for new properties will be a game-changer for families, essential workers and young people trying to get into the market.
"These changes remove real barriers in the system – helping more buyers access housing and allowing completed homes to move more efficiently through the market."
Ms Berry said while the Budget puts housing at the centre, it sends a very different signal to the commercial property sector.
"At the same time, ongoing increases in property-related taxes and charges continue to flow through the system, and that has real implications for investment and feasibility.
"The average 8 per cent increase in commercial rates is almost double the rate of inflation, and it will cast a long shadow over Canberra's commercial property market," she said.
"It risks undermining investment confidence at a time when we need the private sector to be driving growth, jobs and city activation."
Ms Berry said commercial property played a critical role in the Territory's economy and should not be overlooked in Budget decisions.
"You cannot deliver a growing, vibrant city without a strong commercial property sector.
"Housing, jobs, services and investment are all linked – and policy settings need to reflect that."
Ms Berry said the Budget also includes a temporary 50 per cent remission of the Lease Variation Charge (LVC) for missing middle housing developments, alongside a broader review of the LVC framework.
"A 50 per cent reduction is a start, but it is only half a step," Ms Berry said.
"LVC remains a significant cost in the system and continues to weigh on project feasibility, particularly for missing middle housing.
"Importantly, the Government has recognised the need to review the LVC framework, and we will work constructively with them to make sure those settings are simplified, provide greater certainty, and support delivery at scale."
Ms Berry said the Budget reflected a more coordinated approach across housing, planning and infrastructure, but delivery remains the key challenge.
"The Budget reinforces a clear policy direction on housing supply and continued planning reform – and that is something we strongly support," she said.
"The ACT has strong housing targets and a clear reform direction around housing supply, including the Government's commitment to enable 30,000 homes by 2030, continued planning reform, and specific measures to make missing middle development easier.
"The Canberra House Pattern Book and planning technology reforms are modest but sensible productivity measures aimed at simplifying approvals and reducing time/cost for smaller-scale infill projects.
"These are small but practical system improvements that can help reduce friction and improve the pathway from approval to construction, particularly for smaller-scale housing.
"The $50 million funding for capital market conditions is also recognition of the increasing uncertainty and construction costs, but the question will be how this is utilised and whether it effectively supports current projects.
"This Budget makes some progress – but sustained delivery will depend on maintaining the right settings across the entire pipeline."
