Arabic version: خفض حدود ارتفاع المباني في هوم سيركل بعد معارضة مجتمعية

According to ABC News, the federal government has approved an amendment to the National Capital Plan that allows redevelopment around Hume Circle in Canberra’s inner-south, while reducing building-height limits in parts of the precinct after community opposition.

Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister Kristy McBain signed off on the changes, which are intended to allow increased housing near Griffith and Narrabundah. The National Capital Authority said further planning and design work must be approved by the authority and put to public consultation before construction can proceed.

In response to feedback, the maximum height in a southern section of Hume Circle has been reduced to three storeys, matching the current height in the low-rise residential area. Limits in the eastern industrial area were cut from 15 storeys to a maximum of 12 storeys, with eight-storey limits in other sections.

NCA chief executive Karen Doran said the changes were designed to preserve existing character and address concerns about solar access, overshadowing and traffic. She said a governance steering committee involving the NCA and ACT government representatives would oversee potential development and infrastructure planning.

Some Staffordshire Terrace residents remain concerned because the precinct extension to McMillan Crescent places their homes under NCA planning control rather than ACT government control. Independent MLA Thomas Emerson and ACT Senator David Pocock have called for an inquiry and greater community representation as planning advances.