With the Missing Middle Housing Reforms due to start next month, the 2026-27 ACT Budget backs up this landmark reform package with a number of important measures essential for unlocking the full potential of Missing Middle housing.
The broken design of the Lease Variation Charge framework is a real barrier to building Missing Middle housing. We have been calling for a review of the Lease Variation Charge framework for some time, and we are glad to see that the Government has now agreed to this review.
As a temporary measure, the Budget provides for a 50% remission of Lease Variation Charge for RZ1 and RZ2 developments until 2029. We strongly support this as an interim move to encourage the uptake of the Missing Middle Housing Reforms.
The Missing Middle Pattern Book will provide an express path to building more homes, with high-quality designs that have passed an extensive design review. We welcome the Government’s commitment to progressing the pattern book, however it is critical that the pattern book and supporting planning regulations take a pragmatic approach that succeeds in practice.
We welcome continued investment and support for public and community housing. The Missing Middle reforms, supported by a reduction in LVC for social and affordable housing, and the Territory Priority Projects legislation passed earlier in the year, will enable this funding to go further at delivering homes for our most vulnerable.
The Budget continues funding for the next stage of planning reforms that will deliver more homes in well-located areas near shops and public transport. Building more homes in areas that already have supporting community infrastructure is essential to achieving our housing targets with a lower cost to the taxpayer and the environment. We are looking forward to seeing the results of this work over the next couple of years. We call on the Government to approach this work with the same level of ambition as the Missing Middle Housing Reforms.
The above statement is attributable to Howard Maclean, Convenor, Greater Canberra.
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About Greater Canberra
Greater Canberra is a community advocacy group committed to affordable and high-quality housing in Canberra. We believe in a future where housing is abundant, and where everyone can enjoy a more sustainable and liveable city. For more information, see https://greatercanberra.org.