Released 12/06/2026
The ACT Government is delivering on its election commitment, with the landmark Missing Middle Housing Reforms passing the Legislative Assembly today.
The approved changes remove long-standing barriers within the planning system by opening up RZ1 and RZ2 residential zones, which together make up the vast majority of residential blocks in the ACT.
These reforms will commence from July 1 and are a significant milestone in the Government’s commitment to enable 30,000 new homes by 2030.
The changes will permit a range of low-rise housing including multi-occupancy housing, town houses, terraces and low rise apartments. The changes will also support sub-division and block consolidation to support more efficient use of land and better design outcomes.
The missing-middle changes are supported by a package of measures designed to increase uptake, remove barriers, and get more homes built sooner.
That includes eliminating stamp-duty for new off the plan and ‘turn key’ missing middle homes, a time-limited 50% reduction in the codified Lease Variation Charge (LVC) for eligible Missing Middle housing developments, and a 'Canberra House' Pattern Book, providing a collection of pre-approved, architect-designed plans for missing middle homes.
The Missing Middle Housing Design Guide will also guide the development of new homes, ensuring new builds are of a high-quality and fit in well with Canberra’s streets and neighbourhoods.
Attribute to Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development Chris Steel:
"This is a significant moment in Canberra’s planning history.
"Up until this point ‘missing middle’ homes have effectively been banned on the huge majority of residential blocks in Canberra.
"These reforms to the Territory Plan support the gentle urbanism of our city by permitting new homes in existing suburbs, while keeping what we love about our streets and neighbourhoods.
"For renters, growing families, and people who want to age in the communities that they love, this will mean more housing choice, where and how they live.
"The Government expects a gradual take-up of the zoning reforms over several decades with new homes built in suburbs right across the city.
"We expect that smaller homebuilders, who previously only built single-detached housing, will pivot to building these homes, supported by the Government’s tax-reforms.
"I’d like to thank the Assembly for their support of these significant reforms. There is more planning reform coming over the next year to support more housing in well-located areas near shops and transport corridors."
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases