Majority of Canberrans Support Rezoning to Increase ‘Missing Middle’ Housing

The ACT government says 72% of community consultation participants welcomed the housing reforms.  

First announced in May 2025, the ACT’s “missing middle” draft reforms aim to encourage more low-rise homes, such as townhomes, in Canberra’s existing suburbs.  

According to the territory, the new changes are expected to help meet its target of 30,000 new homes by 2030 – a goal Canberrans appear to be on board with.

Minister for planning and sustainable development Chris Steel said there was strong interest from the community when the territory opened consultation about the rezoning plans, with 15,000 people visiting the consultation website and 524 people attending almost 20 in-person and online events around the city.

The reforms could help the territory meet its goal of 30,000 new homes by 2030. Picture: Getty

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According to the government, 72% of participants across all the pop-up events indicated they were in favour of the proposed changes.  

“Once implemented, the reforms will support more low-rise townhouses, terrace homes, duplexes and multi-occupancy living in existing residential zones,” Mr Steel said.  

“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 proposed changes include removal of minimum block sizes for additional dwellings in RZ1 areas, removing the 120sqm limit for a secondary dwelling, allowing block subdivisions and allowing townhomes, terraces and low-rise apartments to be built up to two storeys.  

The government said block consolidations will also allow the territory to have more types of “missing middle” housing delivered across the ACT.  

But that doesn’t mean the changes are set in stone just yet. 

Feedback received through the consultation period is currently being considered by the Territory Planning Authority for potential changes to the “missing middle” housing design guide and territory plan.

Then, the Authority will provide the Draft Major Plan Amendment to the minister for planning to refer to the Standing Committee on Environment and Planning, which may undertake an inquiry and make its own recommendations.  

The minister will then consider all feedback received before deciding whether to approve the amendment for presentation to the Legislative Assembly. 

From here, 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. 

The community can still make a written submission to the draft reforms consultation with long form submissions closing on August 5 2025.  

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