News - Planning & development

The ACT Government today announced accelerated land releases as part of its response to the housing affordability situation.

Many have been critical of the government, saying it has "drip fed" land releases to artificially drive up demand and therefore revenues from its development sales. So the news of this ramping up of releases will be good for people trying to get into the housing market before it becomes utterly unattainable.

Also of note is that land will soon become available in multiple areas. Until now, there has been very little in the way of choice - apart from some small developments at Bonython, it's been pretty much all Gungahlin - even if you work in Tuggeranong - not a good outcome from a sustainability perspective!

And of particular importance for people in Gungahlin is that release of commercial land in Gungahlin town centre has also been mentioned in this media release (below).

It's only a "Government is identifying more land for commercial" vague sort of comment. But I've been pushing this issue strongly at the Planning and Development Forums and in meetings with Ministers, so perhaps the little mention in this media release is the prelude to something more substantial...?

The first blocks in the Molonglo expansion (adjacent to Weston) are planned for release this time next year, and here in Gungahlin, Franklin releases will be accelerated and the folk at Ngunnawal will soon get some neighbours with the first stage of Casey to commence.

The full release follows:

13 August 2007

LAND RELEASES BROUGHT FORWARD TO MEET DEMAND
 
The Government will release an additional 1,000 house blocks in 2007-2008 to help meet continuing high demand and the unexpected increase in the size of the Commonwealth public service, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today.

'In line with commitments made as part of its Affordable Housing Action Plan, the Government has increased its residential land release program for 2007-08 to 3,200 residential blocks, an increase of 1,000 blocks,' Mr Stanhope said.  'The additional 1,000 dwelling sites to be brought forward for development this financial year are in Casey. It is expected the land will be released in two packages - possibly including an englobo release.

The Government is also working hard to accelerate other land releases.  Planning documentation for Franklin 3 will be lodged with the ACT Planning and Land Authority before the scheduled lodgement date of October, enabling an early release for that land as well.

Concept planning for suburbs 1 and 2 in Molonglo is well advanced.  The Draft Variation for the Molonglo Valley development, along with the associated Draft Amendment to the National Capital Plan, will be released for public comment before the end of this month, and the Government aims to have the first blocks released in North Weston in July 2008.

The Government is also responding to a continuing demand for commercial land.

Final design parameters for Section 63 in the City are being discussed by ACTPLA and the National Capital Authority and an additional commercial release, most likely in Constitution Avenue, is proposed for this financial year. Major redevelopments of other Civic sites are proposed in the short term.

The Government is identifying more commercial land development sites in Gungahlin, near the town centre.

'I am confident these releases will contribute significantly to meeting the current high demand for both residential and commercial land in Canberra,' Mr Stanhope said.