The reforms aim to create more diverse housing options that blend seamlessly into Canberra’s suburbs.
20 May 2025
In brief:
- The ACT Government has proposed housing reforms.
- These aim to enable more low-rise housing within existing Canberra suburbs.
- Canberrans can have their say on the reforms via YourSay Conversations.
The ACT Government has proposed reforms to increase housing supply and choice across the ACT.
Changes to suburban zoning and new design requirements aim to boost supply of high quality, sustainable ‘missing middle’ housing types in Canberra.
Canberrans can now learn more about the reforms and share their thoughts via the YourSay Conversations website.
What is the ‘missing middle’?
The term ‘missing middle’ refers to homes that are somewhere between detached standalone houses and medium- to high-rise apartments.
These include:
- multi-occupancy houses on a block
- townhouses
- terrace homes
- low-rise apartments.
These housing types offer Canberrans greater choice, close to existing:
- schools
- transport
- shops
- parks
- community facilities and services.
More choice, not just more homes
Canberra's population is set to reach 700,000 by 2050. The Missing Middle Reforms will greatly increase the Government’s ability to reach its goal of 30,000 new homes by 2030.
The reforms go beyond simply building more homes. The aim is to create more diverse housing options that blend seamlessly into Canberra’s suburbs.
This means increasing the land availability within the ACT’s existing urban footprint, to increase opportunities for development.
Have your say on the reforms
Canberrans can now share their thoughts on the reforms, which comprise:
- suburban zoning changes
- a Missing Middle Housing Design Guide, developed with local industry design and construction experts.
To have your say, go to the YourSay Conversations website.
Read more like this:
- More than a thousand new homes for north Curtin
- Funding boost for ACT affordable housing projects
- More transport options for a growing city
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