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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Molonglo Town Centre moves one step closer

Media release

Molonglo Town Centre moves one step closer

Media release
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says the publication of the Molonglo Town Centre Master Plan today is an important step for Canberra’s long-term housing supply and economic development.

The proposed Molonglo Town Centre is expected to ultimately accommodate around 7,000 homes alongside commercial, retail and community development.

“The Molonglo Valley has experienced enormous population growth over recent years, and it will be positive for residents to see more jobs, services and economic activity closer to where they live,” said HIA Executive Director ACT & Southern NSW, Geordan Murray.

“The Molonglo Town Centre is an important part of the ACT’s future housing supply but in context of the ACT Government’s 30,000 by 2030 housing supply target, we need to be realistic about the timeline. 

“We are already halfway through 2026, and the project is still at the master planning stage. The majority of the 7,000 homes will be delivered beyond 2030.

“If the ACT Government is serious about housing supply and improving affordability being policy priorities, the focus must not only be on long-term projects like this, but also on measures that can facilitate housing supply now.

“The current level of home building in the ACT remains very low. There were only 3,900 dwellings commenced in the ACT during 2025. While that was an improvement in 2024, 2025 still ranks as the second lowest annual total since 2009.

“There are a lot of residential developments that could be delivered within the 2030 timeframe, but with punitive lease variation charges and rising construction costs while households face higher interest rates and cost of living pressures, bringing new projects to market is becoming less feasible.

“With the ACT Budget coming up in two weeks, announcing a major overhaul of the LVC would be a great way for the Government to demonstrate their commitment to enabling the industry to build the volume of homes that are needed to put downward pressure on housing costs in the Territory,” concluded Mr Murray. 

HIA’s submission to the 2026-27 ACT Budget. 

For more information please contact:

Geordan Murray

Executive Director - ACT/Southern NSW
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