The permissible Gross Floor Area (GFA) for this block (or ratio of the plot allowed to be taken up by dwellings under the Territory Plan) is 50% of the 1082m² block, or 541m². The designs show a total GFA of 450.17m², sitting comfortably under the maximum GFA.

Residence A covers a total area of 217.71m², comprising 176.79m² living area and 40.92m² garage. Residence B is sitting at a total area of 232.46m², comprising 181.74m² living area and 50.72m² garage. The remaining area of the site (631.83m²) will include private outdoor space, driveways, and landscaping.

The ACT has a finite supply of land capable of accommodating urban development. A key component of the ACT Planning Strategy focuses on providing a balance of new housing options in established and new suburbs. Increasing the number of houses in established suburbs contributes to a compact city where people are able to live close to established services and helps reduce the demand, and associated cost, of new infrastructure. It also provides a range of housing choices and options for the local community when their household needs and circumstances change.

Dual occupancy development is one way to provide additional housing within established suburbs, without compromising the amenity of the area. Variation 200 to the Territory Plan – which commenced in 2003 – introduced a minimum block requirement of 800m² for dual occupancy developments across all of Canberra’s suburbs. In 2016, Variation 343 to the Territory Plan reduced the minimum block requirement for dual occupancy to 700m² for surrendered residential blocks. Surrendered residential blocks are those affected by loose fill asbestos insulation eradication scheme (i.e. Mr Fluffy blocks).

Between 1987 and 2007, the average urban block size in Canberra’s suburbs decreased by 3% to 835m2. This average has continued to decline in the last decade as blocks <600m² have been introduced into the residential market in new suburban areas. As a result of these changes in land supply, the Territory Plan defines a large block as one with an area greater than 500m². Each of the dual occupancies Housing ACT is proposing in Latham, Flynn, Fraser and Giralang are on blocks >1,000m², which means that each house will have roughly the equivalent area of a large block and be on par with contemporary land supply.

There are no controls in the Territory Plan which provide a blanket prohibition on dual occupancies in Fraser.

Housing ACT owns, manages and maintains close to 12,000 public and community housing properties spread across the city. This represents about 7% of the ACT’s total housing stock. The commitment to locate public housing throughout Canberra’s suburbs using a ‘salt and pepper’ principal seeks to break down barriers, reduce pockets of disadvantage and provide opportunities for the residents to connect and participate in their community.

Fraser is already home to public housing, representing 3.8% of all dwellings in the suburb (29 from a total of 763). Of these, 25 were built over 40 years ago. Any new developments will be more affordable for our tenants, with a minimum 6 star energy efficiency, energy efficient equipment and fittings and good solar access.

The ACT Planning Strategy outlines the Government’s commitment to providing more cost effective and sustainable living options by improving the existing housing stock and establishing more choice in housing types in a variety of locations. Developing new properties in established suburbs, close to transport, schools and other essential services, allows us to ensure that safe, affordable and secure housing is made available for vulnerable Canberrans who need it – now – and into the future.

More than 70% of our housing stock was built before the 1990’s, therefore building new public housing and redeveloping existing public housing allows us to replace older stock with modern, more contemporary designed buildings that will fit into the surrounding streetscape.

The dwellings are designed to achieve a high level of urban design to integrate with the surrounding area. There are existing public housing properties in Fraser. There is no evidence that these properties have affected suburb values or values and prices of adjoining properties.

Public housing tenants – like renters in the private market – must meet their obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and their individual tenancy agreements and not cause disruption to others. Anti-social behaviour is only an issue with a minority of public housing tenants, despite Housing ACT being the largest single landlord in the Territory.

Housing ACT strives to ensure its tenants live in harmony within their neighbourhood and community, without unduly impacting their neighbours’ quiet enjoyment of their homes. It has specialist housing managers who work directly with tenants who exhibit anti-social behaviour, recognising that early intervention and effective management is a critical first response to identifying behaviours and emerging issues that might negatively impact on the quiet enjoyment of neighbours.

It is important to note that matters involving criminal activities or criminal behaviour are outside the jurisdiction of Housing ACT and are more appropriately managed by ACT Policing.

The range of our tenants means that the housing we provide needs to be diverse to meet the needs of different people. We provide family homes, single-person apartments, accessible housing and housing that is close to essential services such as medical services and public transport.

Whilst we strive to build properties that are usable and effective for everyone, the built-form of our properties is often determined by site limitations, in this case, a steep block that does not easily lend itself to Class C Adaptable dwellings. Disability is not limited to physical disability, and adaptable properties are not required by all tenants who identify as having a disability.

Housing ACT, like anyone purchasing a block, is not required to consult other home-owners in the area prior to purchasing a vacant block. Community engagement is however undertaken once preliminary designs have been drafted. The purpose of community engagement is to inform, engage, and collaborate with the community to help build inclusive and welcoming neighbourhoods. We seek feedback on elements of design including built form, landscaping, parking, and impact of waste collection in the street. The feedback is then incorporated into a Development Application, which is subject to its own consultation process.

Public housing is a vehicle for better lives, social inclusion, participation and building stronger communities. Developing new properties in established suburbs allows us to ensure that safe, affordable and secure housing is made available for vulnerable Canberrans who need it – now – and into the future.

The location of public housing throughout all suburbs in Canberra aims to break down barriers to social participation and to link tenants with their surrounding community.

Tenants will be chosen carefully and Housing ACT has a robust selection process that seeks to match tenants with the most suitable property and neighbourhood to suit their household needs. The new public housing will be available for all eligible tenants.

Housing ACT will manage the properties and the tenancies. Housing ACT is the largest landlord in the ACT and operates in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 which outlines the rights and responsibilities of Housing ACT tenants.

Minimal change is expected with the addition of two homes. The front of the site has adequate room for kerbside waste collection. Parking along the street should not be impacted greatly by this development due to allocated garages for residents. On street parking will be available to visitors.

At this stage, we are in the consultation phase as we want to hear from the community. Once this consultation ends (1 June 2018), we will lodge a Development Application. A Development Application is also subject to its own consultation process. If approved, construction for the new development is expected to commence in 2018/19.