12 February 2026
PIA presented its submissions to support and improve the missing middle housing reforms to the ACT Standing Committee on Environment and Planning hearing on 12 February.
The proposed reforms to the Territory Plan 04 and Missing Middle Design Guide will better enable terraces, townhouses, dual and tri occupancies, and some low-rise apartments to be considered and approved in residential (RZ1 & RZ2) zones.
PIA National Policy Director, John Brockhoff said that “PIA supports strengthening the ‘missing middle’ in Canberra and sees the potential for better low-rise housing choices arising from the reform package. PIA promotes a more compact, diverse, and sustainable urban future aligned with the Territory Plan and District Strategies. These should be supported by place-based planning.”
Richard Nash, PIA ACT Division Committee member, Spacelab emphasised the importance of local character and accurately interpreting performance outcomes under the reforms. He noted that master planning could support planning and assessment in areas with greatest redevelopment activity under current market conditions.
The key points emphasised by PIA at the inquiry were:
- Expanded medium density housing choices should be available - and respond to transport, infrastructure, environment and character
- Resourcing a ‘change management’ effort will improve the transition to a performance-based system
- Stronger place-based planning will improve the implementation of the reforms and help direct growth to the most suitable locations and align it with infrastructure delivery
- Clear policy and assessment outcomes are essential for a transparent, efficient and user-friendly planning system
- Landscape scale design guidance and ongoing updates to District Strategies will help manage cumulative impacts
PIA appreciates the engagement by ACT Government and recognises the efforts of our members and committees in strengthening our policy and advocacy impact.
The relevant PIA submissions on the missing middle reforms are linked here: July 2025 and December 2025.