Inner-North Suburbs to Allow More Housing Under Zoning Proposal

Strategic Insights -

The ACT government plans to increase housing stock in Canberra's inner-north suburbs by rezoning five-storey apartment blocks along the northernmost section of Northbourne Avenue. The proposal aims to accommodate up to 1000 new homes, with a focus on transit-oriented development. The government believes the proximity to the light rail line will attract developers and boost affordability.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed rezoning will allow five-storey apartment buildings along Northbourne Avenue, between Antill Street and Stirling Avenue, with a maximum height of 18 meters.
  • Other blocks in the area will have height limits of 12 meters (three storeys) and 8.5 meters (two storeys), depending on the location.
  • The rezoning plan will enable up to an extra 1000 homes directly next to the existing light rail stops at Swinden Street and Phillip Avenue.
  • The proposal implements the City and Gateway Urban Design Framework, developed by the ACT government and the National Capital Authority, which went out for community consultation in 2018.
  • The plan involves rezoning 85 blocks from RZ1 to RZ3 and 123 blocks from RZ1 to RZ4, to medium-density residential zones.
  • The rezoning will increase housing choice and may boost affordability by reinvigorating older neighborhoods with underutilized land or aging housing stock.
  • The report warns of the risk of unintended gentrification, but notes that potential negative impacts can be protected against.
  • Traffic modeling forecasts minor impacts on congestion in the precinct by 2051.
  • The government also plans to release a draft plan amendment for the area bounded by the Barton Highway, Federal Highway, Flemington Road, and Randwick Road later this year.

Statistics:

  • 1000 new homes planned to be built along Northbourne Avenue
  • 85 blocks to be rezoned from RZ1 to RZ3
  • 123 blocks to be rezoned from RZ1 to RZ4
  • 30,000 new homes to be built by 2030, as part of the government's planning reforms
  • 5-year average of unimproved land value used to calculate rates
  • Minor impacts on congestion in the precinct forecast by 2051

Sources:

  • "Rezoning the inner north: major amendment to the Territory Plan now open for public consultation", ACT Government release (no date)
  • "Rezoning proposal for the Northbourne Avenue corridor", supporting report prepared by the City and Environment Directorate (no date)
  • "City and Gateway Urban Design Framework", ACT government and National Capital Authority (2018)
  • "Inner north and city district strategy", ACT government (2023)