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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationMissing Middle reforms hit the target for a growing city
Missing Middle reforms hit the target for a growing city
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The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed reforms announced today by the ACT Government to enable more medium density housing in the Capital.
Tuesday, 20th May 2025
“As Canberra has grown, much of the development has become polarised, with a focus on either detached housing, or high-rise apartments at the other end of the scale,” according to HIA ACT & Southern NSW Executive Director Greg Weller.
“Low-rise density housing such as dual-occupancies, townhouses and walk-up apartments have not kept pace, and will be needed to support consumers choice for housing type and also to meet the city’s housing targets.
“Missing middle housing can deliver on Canberra family’s needs for larger dwellings than might be feasible or affordable in an apartment building, without the land requirements of a detached dwelling.
“Sensible and well-planned medium density will be essential to deliver on Canberra’s future housing needs if the city is to limit its geographic size. It has been a long held policy of the ACT to build 70% of new homes in the city’s existing footprint, and these reforms will go a long way to supporting that aim.
“One of the pleasing aspects announced today was the removal of the 120 sqm dwelling size limit on blocks that are subdivided or unit titled in RZ1, which is something HIA has been calling for since its introduction in 2023.
“We are hopeful that this will create more opportunities for single dwellings as well.
“Another aspect that we have been asking for is the removal of a number of arbitrary controls in the planning system, such as dwelling limits. The new system will allow more scope to deliver good homes based on other planning controls such as site coverage and the design being in context with the surrounding dwellings.
“This will be a very significant, but positive, change for the city and we encourage anyone with an interest to visit ACT Government YourSay website to find out more about the plan or how to attend one of the information sessions.”
“Low-rise density housing such as dual-occupancies, townhouses and walk-up apartments have not kept pace, and will be needed to support consumers choice for housing type and also to meet the city’s housing targets.
“Missing middle housing can deliver on Canberra family’s needs for larger dwellings than might be feasible or affordable in an apartment building, without the land requirements of a detached dwelling.
“Sensible and well-planned medium density will be essential to deliver on Canberra’s future housing needs if the city is to limit its geographic size. It has been a long held policy of the ACT to build 70% of new homes in the city’s existing footprint, and these reforms will go a long way to supporting that aim.
“One of the pleasing aspects announced today was the removal of the 120 sqm dwelling size limit on blocks that are subdivided or unit titled in RZ1, which is something HIA has been calling for since its introduction in 2023.
“We are hopeful that this will create more opportunities for single dwellings as well.
“Another aspect that we have been asking for is the removal of a number of arbitrary controls in the planning system, such as dwelling limits. The new system will allow more scope to deliver good homes based on other planning controls such as site coverage and the design being in context with the surrounding dwellings.
“This will be a very significant, but positive, change for the city and we encourage anyone with an interest to visit ACT Government YourSay website to find out more about the plan or how to attend one of the information sessions.”
For more information please contact:
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