Today, the ACT Greens announced their support for ambitious reform to Canberra’s zoning laws to enable more medium-density housing. Importantly, the motion endorses the key planks of the Missing Middle Canberra policy platform, including universal upzoning of all RZ1 areas, additional density in and around local centres, and reductions to mandatory parking requirements.

The motion comes following the endorsement of missing middle housing reforms by the ACT Labor Conference last month, and shows there is strong support for common sense reforms to allow for more homes, and a more sustainable and liveable city.

Missing Middle Canberra, a coalition of 15 community and business organisations, calls on all parties in the Assembly to come together to get planning reform done. Action on housing and climate issues in the ACT deserves support from across the political spectrum.

We call upon the Government to implement the Missing Middle Canberra platform in the new Territory Plan this year. The housing and climate crises require urgent action, and prompt action on these reforms will reduce housing costs and emissions sooner, while putting the ACT in an excellent position to claim additional federal grant funding from the New Homes Bonus from 1 July 2024.

Delaying implementation to a separate Territory Plan variation process would leave much of this federal funding on the table, drive up emissions, and increase housing costs. Housing delayed is housing denied, and the ACT should move boldly to lead the country on substantial zoning reform.

We look forward to working with the Greens, Labor and Liberal parties to ensure that the positive vision of the Missing Middle Canberra platform is implemented.

Quotes from Missing Middle Canberra coalition partners

“It’s great to see the ACT Greens supporting housing abundance in Canberra. Canberra should be a city where people of all backgrounds and incomes can make a home. These reforms can help to make this a reality by helping to provide more homes that are affordable, available, and appropriate.” - Joel Dignam, Executive Director, Better Renting

“Master Builders ACT welcomes the ACT Greens commitment to planning and zoning reform which will allow a greater supply of affordable and appropriate housing to meet our community’s housing needs. It is important that these reforms be implemented through the current ACT Planning Reform project so the Territory can meet its National Housing Accord commitments.” - Michael Hopkins, CEO, Master Builders ACT

“The adoption of Missing Middle Canberra’s platform of common sense zoning reform by the ACT Greens reflects the emerging consensus in our city for ambitious action on zoning reform. We have the opportunity to create a better future for our city, and now is the time to come together and get it done.” - Howard Maclean, Convenor, Greater Canberra

“Urban infill is a key plank in the ongoing sustainability of our cities and our housing supply. We look forward to further refinement of the Territory Plan to permit greater housing choice.” - Richard Nash, Purdon

About Missing Middle Canberra

Missing Middle Canberra is a coalition of 15 community and business organisations and hundreds of individual Canberrans calling for common-sense reforms to our planning system to enable more medium-density housing and make Canberra a more sustainable and affordable place to live.

For more information about Missing Middle Canberra, see https://missingmiddlecbr.org.au.

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