Arabic version: حكومة ACT تكشف عن خطة لبناء 26,000 منزل جديد بحلول عام 2031
The ACT government wants 26,000 new homes built in the next five years. This initiative is part of the Housing Supply and Land Release Program, which aims to address the capital’s increasing housing demands as the population is projected to reach 700,000 by 2050. According to ABC News, the government plans to deliver nearly 4,300 new homes this financial year.
Most of the new housing developments will be concentrated in the Molonglo Valley and Macnamara areas. However, the plan has faced scrutiny due to the limited number of standalone homes being proposed. Only 11 percent (2,885) of the 25,794 homes planned over the next five years will be standalone properties, with the majority being multi-unit dwellings. Housing Minister Yvette Berry acknowledged the ambitious nature of the target but expressed confidence in its achievability.
Critics, including Master Builders ACT CEO Anna Neelagama, have raised concerns about the feasibility of meeting housing needs with such a small proportion of standalone homes. Neelagama questioned whether this indicates a decline in the opportunity for residents to own individual blocks of land and detached homes.
The government has also committed to reserving 15 percent of suitable residential land releases for public, community, and affordable housing, aiming to deliver nearly 300 new homes across Canberra in this segment. The plan includes changes to the Territory Plan to allow for the development of ‘missing middle’ housing, which encompasses townhouses and low-rise apartments.
Treasurer Chris Steel stated that the government is exploring every opportunity to meet its target of 30,000 new homes by 2030, including zoning reforms and enhancing housing availability near shopping centers. However, concerns remain regarding the affordability of land and construction costs, which have surged in recent years, potentially placing homeownership out of reach for many families.