The ACT’s planning system is to move away from rules around what can be built and where, under draft planning system reforms to judge building developments against community, environmental and cultural issues instead.
Calling for feedback on drafts of a new Territory Plan and a series of District Planning Strategies, the Environmental, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) said the drafts were part of its Planning System Review and Reform Project.
“District strategies are being introduced into the planning system to capture the special character of each of Canberra’s nine districts and outline their respective future planning directions,” EPSDD said.
“They will help us deliver improved outcomes for all Canberrans by strategically managing growth and change across the Territory while protecting the things we value most in each of our districts,” it said.
“The proposed Territory Plan will be easier to use and focus on quality outcomes.”
EPSDD said proposed developments would be assessed on their environmental, community and wellbeing context as well as compliance with prescribed technical rules.
Welcoming the proposals, the Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman said District Strategies were a new layer in the ACT’s planning system that would guide growth and change at a local level according to the unique characteristics of each district.
“We know, for example, the employment and education needs in Tuggeranong differ from those in Belconnen, just like the environmental and cultural assets in the Inner North are different from those in the Molonglo Valley,” Mr Gentleman said.
“The draft new Territory Plan we have put forward for community consideration moves away from enforcing compliance with rules about what can be built and where,” he said.
“Instead, it focuses on considering building development and land use proposals based on important community, environmental, cultural and economic outcomes.”
Mr Gentleman said the draft District Planning Strategies and draft Territory Plan represented a progressive approach to managing development and land use.
“We are planning for the future of our city, and it is vital Canberrans have their say,” the Minister said.
EPSDD’s draft District Strategies and proposed new Territory Plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
