City and Environment Directorate
We manage city planning, transport, environment and everyday services that make Canberra a great place to live.
What we do
We look after planning, transport, city services and the environment in Canberra. We help keep the city running and make it easier for people to live, get around and connect.
We are responsible for:
- planning and development – shaping how Canberra grows
- transport – designing and caring for roads, paths and public transport
- environment – looking after nature and supporting sustainable living
- city services – keeping public spaces safe, clean and in good condition
- Access Canberra services – licences, permits, complaints, noise rules and consumer rights.
Our structure
We’re made up of several business areas and leadership groups. Here’s how we’re structured.
Leadership team
- Director-General: Dave Peffer
- Deputy Director-General: appointment to be confirmed
Organisational chart
We’re developing the organisational structure for the City and Environment Directorate and will add the chart here when it's ready.
Business areas
Business, licensing and regulation
- Access Canberra provides a central way for residents and businesses to apply, renew and pay for licences, permits and services, and understand their legal obligations.
Planning, development and infrastructure
- Planning provides information and services for planning, development, land use and urban design in the ACT.
- Infrastructure Delivery plans and delivers local infrastructure projects to enhance community facilities and public spaces across Canberra.
Transport and road network
- Transport Canberra provides integrated public transport services, including buses and light rail, to connect people across Canberra.
- Road Safety develops and implements strategies to improve road user behaviour and reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities in the ACT
- Roads ACT manages the planning, maintenance and operation of the ACT's road network to ensure safe and efficient transport
Environment, water and heritage
- ACT Heritage supports the protection and conservation of heritage places in the ACT and provides advice to the ACT Heritage Council.
- Office of Water develops water policy and programs to protect rivers, lakes and catchments and ensure sustainable water use in the ACT.
- ACT Parks and Conservation Service manages parks, reserves and conservation areas to protect natural and cultural values and support public access and enjoyment.
- Everyday Climate Choices provides information on the ACT Government’s climate strategies, programs and actions to reduce emissions and build resilience.
- ACT NoWaste works with the community and waste industry to improve recycling rates and reduce landfill through sustainable waste management programs.
City and public services
- Canberra Memorial Parks manages cemeteries in Woden, Gungahlin and Hall, providing respectful spaces for remembrance and memorial services
- Capital Linen Service provides high-quality linen hire and laundry services to healthcare and hospitality clients across Canberra and surrounding regions.
- City Presentation maintains public spaces, including parks, streetscapes and urban environments, to ensure a clean and welcoming city.
- Domestic Animal Services manages animal welfare and pet registration, promoting responsible pet ownership and caring for impounded animals in the ACT.
- Libraries ACT operates public libraries across Canberra, offering access to books, digital resources and community programs for all ages.
- Yarralumla Nursery grows and supplies plants for government landscaping projects and offers wholesale nursery services to the public and businesses.
Agencies and authorities
- ACT Government Architect – provides strategic advice on architecture and design to guide the development of buildings and places in the ACT.
- Office for the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment – investigates environmental issues and provides independent advice to government and the community.
- Office of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna – manages biodiversity and conservation matters, including protection of native species and habitats.
- Office of the Surveyor-General and Land Information – maintains confidence in land ownership and property boundaries, and manages the Territory’s surveying and land information systems.
- Territory Planning Authority – makes statutory planning decisions and helps shape the future growth and development of the ACT.
Our ministers
We support the following ministers to deliver their ACT Government portfolios.
- Chris Steel MLA: Transport, Planning and development, Heritage
- Tara Cheyne: City and ACT Government services
- Suzanne Orr MLA: Climate change, environment, energy, and water
To contact a minister, use the Contact My Minister form.
Advisory groups
These groups help guide government decisions. Members bring expert knowledge, lived experience or community perspectives.
Technical and professional advisory groups
Members are chosen for their qualifications or specialist knowledge. They give advice on clinical, scientific or professional issues.
- ACT and Region Catchment Management Coordination Group coordinates efforts to protect and improve catchment and waterway health.
- Assessment and Environment Advisory Panel advises on environmental impact of proposed developments.
- National Capital Design Review Panel offers independent design advice on development proposals.
- Survey Practice Advisory Committee advises the Surveyor-General on land surveying practices and standards.
Policy and service reference groups
Members are chosen for their knowledge or experience. These groups help improve how services and systems are designed and delivered.
- ACT Climate Change Council provides independent advice to the Minister on climate change action and community engagement.
- ACT Heritage Council advises on heritage protection and manages the ACT Heritage Register.
- ACT Natural Resource Management Advisory Committee supports sustainable land, water and biodiversity management.
- ACT Scientific Committee provides expert advice on conservation science, including threatened species and ecological communities.
- ACT Place Names Advisory Committee advises on the naming of public places and geographic features.
- Environment and Planning Forum brings together community, industry and government to discuss key environment and planning issues.
Oversight and review committees
These groups review progress, monitor reforms or identify problems in systems. Members are formally appointed.
- ACT Legislative Assembly and Assembly Committees support scrutiny of government policy, law and planning through public hearings and inquiries.
Grants and funding
We offer funding and grants to support your work, organisation or community.
To apply or check what's open, search grants and funding.
Documents
We publish documents that guide our work, track progress and show what we’ve achieved. This includes strategies, action plans, reports and data.
To find out what’s available, search documents and publications.
Privacy and data collection
We collect personal information to deliver services and plan for community needs.
Find out what data we collect and how we protect your privacy.
Freedom of information request
To find or request government information, you can:
- check if it’s already published on one of our websites
- ask us directly if it's not publicly available
- make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
To learn more about these options, read access ACT Government information.
Complaints and feedback
You can make a complaint or give feedback about your experience with us. This helps us improve our services.
- Public transport – complaints and feedback
- City services – complaints and feedback
- Land, planning and building – complaints and feedback
- Consumer issues – complaints and feedback
- Noise – complaints and feedback
- Access Canberra – complaints and feedback
Contact us
Call Access Canberra
13 22 81
Post
City and Environment Directorate
GPO Box 158
Canberra
ACT 2601