Our city is growing and more people are living and working in the ACT. The planning system can facilitate this growth without compromising the characteristics of the city that we value.

The system is focused on delivering outcomes for the residents of Canberra, providing some flexibility to encourage better buildings and public spaces for our community.

A training program for key representatives from industry, the community, and other users of the system has been rolled out. There are also factsheets, guides and a list of frequently asked questions to help you.

Benefits of an outcomes based planning system

The planning system is designed so that it benefits the community. It will make new housing in the ACT fit for purpose and improve the wellbeing of residents.

Good design sits at the heart of this. The system provides the framework for better designed housing that is closer to shops and services. There will also be more options to build better designed multi-unit housing and mixed use buildings. This will include more variety in size, types, look and feel, and green spaces.

Buildings will better fit into the character of their neighbourhoods. There will also be a greater focus on the benefits a building provides to the community. This is important because we know good housing and well-designed buildings provide more benefits to Canberrans. This includes:

  • improved health and wellbeing
  • buildings and homes that are fit for purpose, comfortable and usable
  • increased accessibility and inclusion for residents
  • housing that is enjoyed now and by future generations.

Key elements of the planning system

The planning system at a glance

Elements of the new planning system including the Planning ACT, Planning Strategy, Territory Plan, Development Applications, and Support

The Planning Act

The Planning Act legislation is the foundation of the planning system. It sets the legal framework and processes, from planning new suburbs to new infill buildings and transforming our suburbs.

The Territory Plan

The Territory Plan outlines what developments can be built where. It guides developers through the planning process. It also gives the Territory Planning Authority the tools to assess and consider development applications

  • District policies: Details the key assessment requirements and expected outcomes relevant to each specific district.
  • Zone policies: Lists the types of developments that can be built in specific zones. It also lists what documentation is required for assessment to occur.

District strategies

There are nine districts within Canberra and each one has their own district strategy. The strategies help direct forecasted growth to areas of Canberra that are best suited for it. They also outline what future services, transport and infrastructure is needed in those areas.

Three design guides for proponents and assessors

Three design guides for proponents and assessors: These guides show developers what they need to consider and respond to when designing their buildings. They show examples and methods of good design and list the considerations for developments across Canberra.

  • Housing Design Guide: This outlines ways developers will need to incorporate good design into denser housing. This includes elements such as apartment size and layout, private open spaces like balconies and natural ventilation.
  • Urban Design Guide: This looks at the ways developers can incorporate good design into public areas. Examples include the outside public areas around the building, improved pedestrian access, trees and landscaping.
  • Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design Guide: This looks at how new developments can help protect and improve biodiversity in their development’s design.

What we looked at

It had been 15 years since the last major review of the Territory Plan. The long-term aspirations for Canberra have evolved since then. They reflect:

  • the importance of adapting to climate change
  • important infrastructure needed to accommodate and service our growing population
  • the need to provide greater housing choice and accessibility for Canberrans.

Together with the 2018 ACT Planning Strategy, this has shaped how best to approach planning in Canberra.

Through the ACT Planning System Review and Reform Project we undertook a 4-year review of our planning system. This review process allowed the government to put forward the most suitable planning system for our city. The project has included:

  • surveys and workshops on spaces and places
  • focus groups with the community
  • a series of workshops with our stakeholders
  • an 11-week consultation on the Planning Bill
  • a 16-week consultation on the draft district strategies, draft Territory Plan and the initial outline of supporting design guidance.

Research and analysis were also conducted to a range of different planning systems in Australia and overseas. This made sure we got the balance right.

You can review the consultation process and see what we heard on the ACT Planning System Review and Reform Project YourSay page.

You can review the key policy updates and papers over the last 4 years in the project’s resources page.

ACT Planning System Governance Review

The Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate commissioned an Independent Governance Review into the effectiveness of existing governance frameworks within the ACT’s planning system and their support for an efficient and transparent system.

The ACT Planning System Governance Review [2.2 MB] found many effective governance practices supporting the planning system. The Directorate along with colleagues from across the ACT Public Service, are now working towards implementing the agreed recommendations, as outlined below.

Planning Governance Review Implementation Plan

Recommendation 1

The ACT Government should release specific guidance on obligations, expectations and best practice management of holding joint statutory and public sector roles.

Due: December 2024.

Led by the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate.

Recommendation 2

Separating the role of Chief Planner from the responsibilities of the Director-General, EPSDD would deliver a better governance arrangement.

Due: 1 July 2024.

Outcome: Complete as outlined on the ACT Chief Planner appointed webpage.

Recommendation 3

The person holding the role of Chief Planner should not have the power to influence the appointment of the Conservator and Government Architect positions. Governance arrangements would be strengthened if appointments to the Conservator, EPA and Government Architect, all roles which are charged with providing frank and fearless advice to the Territory Planning Authority, sat with a Minister or an officer who did not also hold the role of Chief Planner.

Due: October 2024.

This outcome will be considered complete following the long-term appointment of an ACT Chief Planner. Further details will be provided once made available.

Recommendation 4

Consideration should be given to using the Assessment Advisory Panel (AAP), to provide advice on the small number of matters that may deviate from entity advice. Relevant independent expert(s) should be invited to participate in the provision of this advice. Transparency would be improved if the advice provided by the AAP on matters which deal with deviating from entity advice was published.

Due: 1 July 2024

Outcome: Complete as outlined on the Assessment and Environment Advisory Panel (originally the Assessment Advisory Panel AAP) and development application reporting now live.

Recommendation 5

A strategic advisory body, that includes referral entities and those outside of the TPA that have relevant expertise, should be established to support achieving the Objects of the Act.

Due: October 2024.

Outcome: Complete. These are covered by existing arrangements within the ACT Government as outlined in the ACT Planning System Evaluation Framework.

Recommendation 6

The TPA governance framework should seek to encourage more opportunities for earlier collaboration across referral entities and other relevant bodies that interact with the Development Application (DA) processes and in policy settings including developing or reviewing guidelines.

Due: 1 July 2024

Outcome: Complete as outlined on the Territory Planning Authority webpage.

Recommendation 7

The TPA should prioritise transparency in its decision-making, including proactive release of data, accessible graphics and other information.

Due: 1 July 2024

Outcome: ACT planning system evaluation framework.

This should include:

  1. a governance framework that describes the different roles within the planning system and their relationship to each other; and the purpose and membership of governance committees.
  2. a dedicated section on the website relating to the TPA which clearly explains who is responsible for what, by (de-identified) positions.
  3. open disclosure of decision-making processes and which roles/expertise have inputs that support the outcomes-based decision making model. This should provide a clear and transparent understanding of accountability for activity and outcomes.
  4. open disclosure of decision-making criteria that will be applied if a decision is to deviate from entity advice.
    • Due: not yet specified
  5. publication of the Design Review Panel’s advice on projects and reasons for application approval if the proponent has not followed this advice.
    • Due: 1 July 2024.
    1. Outcome: Complete as outlined on the Territory Planning Authority webpage.
  6. aggregate data relating to entity advice; how often entity advice is deviated from; and which entity’s advice was not followed should be reported on the Development Application statistics page.
  7. separate annual reporting that provides a permanent record of data and other matters, including the TPA appearing in Column 2 (like the Conservator and Heritage Council) in any updated Annual Report Direction.
    • Due: 2025.

Recommendation 8

Consideration should be given to the Director-General of EPSDD being a prescribed referral entity for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the Planning Regulations, given their responsibilities for the environment under current administrative arrangements.

Due: October 2024.

Outcome: Complete. The consideration of environmental impacts is addressed through existing arrangements with the establishment of the following prescribed referral entities as outlined on the After you apply webpage.

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