The ACT Government today released a project update on their reforms of the Territory’s planning system, which they say will support a liveable, sustainable and resilient Canberra for decades to come.

In November 2020, the report states, the ACT Government’s Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) released a series of policy directions papers, which signalled a shift from the predominantly ‘review’ phase of the ACT planning system to a period of ‘review and reform’. EPSDD continued the review and reform phases of the ACT Planning System Review and Reform Project throughout 2021.

A new Planning Act will provide the framework for the reformed planning system.

The update highlights the ACT Government’s work this year, including consulting communities and industries by district, drafting new legislation, and technical planning.

“Over the past year, the ACT Government has worked hard to shape our new planning system, which will provide greater clarity on the future directions for our city through district planning,” said Mick Gentleman, ACT Minister for Planning and Land Management.

The update also signals some of the work continuing into next year, including the new Planning Bill, which will be released for community and industry engagement in early 2022. The Planning Bill will be the project’s first key reform rolled out for community consultation.

The government will provide draft strategies for further consultation in mid-2022 after consultation on the Planning Bill closes.

Proposed changes in the draft legislation, designed to improve outcomes across Canberra, include:

•           expanding the object of the Act to include wellbeing, ecological sustainability, and liveability principles

•           recognising the knowledge, traditions, and culture of the Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the land

•           more efficient and transparent development assessment pathways and decisions

•           introducing the category of ‘significant development’, where developments are likely to require greater consideration of design and environmental impacts

•           improved transparency due to website upgrades and better public access to information (development applications will remain on the planning website for five years, and decisions on development applications will also be published).

“Earlier this year we heard from Canberrans across the territory, from Gungahlin to Tuggeranong, about what they loved most about their district,” Mr Gentleman said. “This input is being considered – along with feedback given over many years of planning and development application processes – in our district strategy development.

“We want designers and developers to think about how each project fits in with the characteristics of the district and adds to a local area, how it is environmentally sustainable, and how it functions for the people that will use it.”

The reform of the Territory’s planning system will include an upgraded IT system which Mr Gentleman said would make planning processes simpler and more accessible for Canberrans.

“The government is also considering the ways in which people interact with the planning system, and considering how improvements to IT systems and detailed guidance material can support the implementation of changes in 2023,” Mr Gentleman said.

“It’s important to make interacting with the planning system as easy as possible. The community needs to quickly see what’s being built near them, and to have their say on these developments.”

Mr Gentleman said the government wanted to hear from as many Canberrans as possible about shaping the future of our city’s landscape. He encouraged everyone to sign up for updates on the project’s YourSay page, and to provide feedback on this important reform project next year.

ACT Greens

The ACT Greens say they want to ensure future development is driven by the needs of people and the planet.

“The development of new planning laws is an important milestone in Canberra’s history as it will shape the way we, and generations after us, will live, work, connect, and thrive”, said Jo Clay MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for Planning.

“The ACT Greens welcome the recent updates, and we want to ensure that deep and genuine consultation is at the heart of all future planning decisions.

“Deep consultation can only happen when the community can see all the cards at play. That’s why I’m really pleased about the announcement of an upgraded IT system that will allow for greater public engagement online. I hope it will make planning processes simpler and more accessible to Canberrans. I acknowledge former ACT Greens MLA Caroline le Couteur’s work on this in the last Assembly.

“Planning intersects with so many vital areas of our lives, from health to transport and education. I’m glad that these reports acknowledge this, and I hope that EPSDD will share their public consultation findings with these other directorates so they can work together to improve our planning system.

“I’m also pleased to see recommendations in the Engagement Report for greater consultation with diverse Canberrans, such as the Indigenous and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, as well as those with diverse physical and mental needs.

“We all live in this city together. We are family, friends, and neighbours. We should all be able to participate in society regardless of the language we speak at home or if we face physical barriers. I hope this deeper engagement with diverse communities will help us plan for a more inclusive and accessible bush capital.

“The focus on sustainable and climate-ready development in these reports is welcome. The ACT Greens are very invested in getting the balance right between building for our growing population and protecting our beautiful natural environment. We are confident that with genuine consultation, we can improve our planning system further to achieve this.”