The Legislative Assembly has passed the Planning Bill 2022, setting the foundation for the ACT’s new planning system.

The new Act, as part of the refreshed system, will allow Canberra to grow in a meaningful way while still maintaining the city we know and love.

This is a shift to an ‘outcome focused’ planning system. This means that new development applications will have to consider the surrounding communities and have a positive impact on matters like wellbeing, health, recreation and the environment – while still meeting the set requirements in the new Territory Plan, new design guides and supporting material.

Proponents will have to show not only how their development meets the requirements in the Territory Plan (such as height limits and setbacks) but how the development meets good design outcomes and fits and supports its neighbourhood.

Thank you for providing valuable feedback on the new system. A wide range of feedback was received through the consultation process on the draft Planning Bill, with many different opinions on the key themes of the Bill.

The government has made more than 100 amendments to the Bill based on what we have heard from the community, industry and the Assembly.

Some of the key changes we have made over the last 6 months include further highlighting the importance of cultural heritage and housing affordability, clearer principles on how government and developers consult with the community and allowing for longer consultation for significant developments.

This is a significant milestone, but it is just the first in implementing the ACT’s new planning system. Work is underway to finalise the Territory Plan, the district strategies and the design guides which are all important parts of the new system and will help new buildings deliver better outcomes to Canberrans and their community in the new Planning Act.

These documents will be released in the coming weeks and months. A new Territory Plan will be presented to the Legislative Assembly so the new Planning Act can commence later this year.

You can stay up to date on the new planning system on the Planning Review and Reform Project YourSay page.