The Missing Middle Housing Reforms have been drafted in response to what we have heard from the Canberra community during recent engagement about planning system reform, and in consultation with local planning and design professional experts.

When being consulted on the ACT Planning Strategy in 2018, Canberrans said they wanted more diverse housing, lifestyle and transport options to support a wider range of people and households.

In community discussions about the most recent reforms to the Planning System, there was a renewed call for more housing types, including affordable options and more efficient use of land in existing suburbs, helping older Canberrans to stay in their communities and allowing younger people to live closer to existing services and facilities.

The community said they wanted to see careful consideration of increased density in existing neighbourhoods, with concerns about the potential for too many high-rise buildings, loss of green spaces and trees, reduced sunlight and privacy for neighbours, extra strain on roads and infrastructure and a negative impact on Canberra’s suburban character.

Many in the community said they would support increased density if it included well-designed buildings, protected neighbourhood character, provided enough parking, and included public green spaces.

The draft Missing Middle Housing Design Guide and amendments to the Territory Plan have been developed with this feedback in mind. Extensive industry and agency consultation has contributed to the development of the reforms, including engagement with a dedicated Technical Advisory Group and Pool of Practitioners with representation from peak industry organisations and ACT government agencies including:

• ACT Australian Institute of Architects
• ACT Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
• Building Designers Association of Australia
• Green Building Council of Australia
• ACT Planning Institute of Australia
• Housing Industry Association
• ACT Master Builders Association
• ACT Property Council of Australia
• ACT Transport Canberra and City Services
• Suburban Land Agency
• ACT Government Architect

This expert input of local design practitioners, professionals, industry and technical experts will make sure that the documents reflect Canberra’s urban character and enable high quality, practical design outcomes at a scale and form that respects existing residents and contributes positively to street character.