Released 22/07/2025
The first of the ACT Government’s landmark housing reforms to deliver the ‘missing middle’ is being met with broad community support following the closure of short form consultation today.
“There has been strong interest and participation during the consultation on the implementation of our commitment to enable ‘missing middle’ housing in Canberra,” said Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development Chris Steel.
“Canberrans want more housing choice in existing suburbs, where and how they want to live.
“Once implemented, the reforms will support more low-rise townhouses, terrace homes, duplexes and multi-occupancy living in existing residential zones.
“Housing supply is a key priority and these planning changes will significantly contribute to our target of enabling 30,000 new homes by 2030 and beyond.
“Addressing the ‘missing middle’ will ensure that there’s more housing choice, whether you’re a first home buyer, supporting a growing family, or wanting to age in place in the community you love.”
The consultation saw a significant response from the community, with 524 people attending 19 in-person and online events around Canberra, and 15,000 people visiting the Yoursay webpage.
At the pop-up events that were held across Canberra, we’ve seen broad support for the proposed reforms with 72 per cent of participants across all locations signalling they were in favour of the changes.
"This reflects and reiterates the desire we’ve heard from Canberrans to see more than just apartments and single-detached housing built, and it is why these reforms have been introduced," said Minister Steel.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed their views on supplying more housing and this will inform improvements to the reforms as they are finalised."
Industry, community groups and individuals can still make a written submission to the consultation, with long form submissions closing on 5 August.
Missing Middle Implementation Pathway
All submissions and feedback received through the public consultation period will be considered by the Territory Planning Authority, which may result in changes to the Missing Middle Housing Design Guide and proposed changes to the Territory Plan.
The Authority will then provide the Draft Major Plan Amendment to the Minister for Planning for referral to the Standing Committee on Environment and Planning, who may undertake an Inquiry and make their own recommendations on the proposed changes.
The Minister will then consider all feedback received through the consultation period, the Authority, referral entities and the Committee before deciding whether to approve the Major Plan Amendment for presentation to the Legislative Assembly.
At this point, the Legislative Assembly could choose to reject any of the changes to the Territory Plan.
During this time, the Design Guide will be finalised for endorsement by the Minister of Planning.
Territory plan changes
Changes include removal of minimum block sizes for additional dwellings in RZ1 areas, removing the 120m2 limit for a secondary dwelling, allowing block subdivisions, as well as permitting townhouses, terraces and low-rise apartments to be built up to two storeys.
Block consolidation will also allow us to make better use of land and have more types of ‘missing middle’ housing delivered across the ACT, with this flexibility helping to achieve higher quality design outcomes.
Canopy cover requirements are proposed to increase from 15 per cent to 20 per cent, with site coverage requirements for the homes built across a block to remain at 45 per cent.
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases