I'll be at the Assembly tomorrow to help make the case for Missing Middle in front of the Environment and Planning Committee (chaired by @joclaygreens.bsky.social and featuring Peter Cain, Caitlin Tough and Fiona Carrick).
Let's get this done!
In our written submission, we strongly support approving these reforms, but we've recommended some further changes that will make Missing Middle projects easier to approve and address some concerns we've identified.
Read our submission ➡️ buff.ly/xhywFvd
The Committee's inquiry is one of the final stages before the Missing Middle Housing Reforms can be finalised.
Inquiry into DPA-04 Missing Middle Housing Reforms
Tomorrow, we'll be at the Assembly for the Environment and Planning Committee's hearing into Missing Middle!
We'll be up from 1:20-1:50pm. Watch us in-person in the Prince Edward Island Room, or stream online ➡️ buff.ly/2HWs3ai
YIMBY Melbourne and Greater Canberra present Order without Design with Alain Bertaud and Howard Maclean, 6:30pm March 5, Verity Lane Market
We're thrilled to announce that Alain Bertaud, author of Order without Design and former Principal Planner for the World Bank, will be coming to Canberra on March 5th, in collaboration with our friends at @yimby.melbourne.
Get your tickets ➡️ buff.ly/M3rstZx
Canberra Times letter from Darcy Murphy, Harrison, on 3 November 2025, arguing that Missing Middle reforms enable housing to be built in a way that protects the bush character of the capital through building in areas already occupied rather than further sprawl, there has been extensive consultation, and that these reforms will help restore Canberra's affordability.
If we truly want to maintain Canberra's status as "the bush capital", then we need reforms that enable us to build housing in those areas already occupied, not enable further sprawl that will undermine the bush capital.
Downer/Watson building height map from DPA-09. Shows limits of 8.5, 12, 18 metres right next to Northbourne Ave/Federal Highway
Comments on the Northern Gateway Draft Plan Amendment close 5pm Tuesday.
The @greatercanberra.org.au take: great that rezoning is *finally* happening, but it's also far from sufficient. Height limits as low as 8.5m *right next to light rail*
More info: www.planning.act.gov.au/professional...
Canberra Times front page - "Faces of Inspiration", including Howard Maclean among other ACT nominees for the Australian of the Year awards
Very proud to see my friend and comrade, @howardfmaclean.bsky.social, named as a finalist for the 2026 ACT Young Australian of the Year, thanks to his work leading @greatercanberra.org.au!
australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/h...
One underrated positive change in the new govt structure is the positioning of housing directly within Treasury, rather than Social Services.
This makes sense: housing is fundamental economic infrastructure. 🧵
My quality of life would be greatly improved by having as many of my dearest friends as possible living near me, much more so than heritage restrictions that make it impossible to build mixed-use in the best group centre area in the Inner South
Screenshot of letter to the editor in the Sunday Canberra Times, 25 May 2025, "Give more of us the option of enjoying lovely Kingston", by Adam Tadmore, in response to an article about the reaction of the Kingston and Barton Residents Group to discussion of the future potential for shop-top housing in the Kingston Shops area
"Is it truly the shopfronts that make Kingston special, or is it the sense of community and accessibility that draws people in?"
Huge win from the Greater Canberra crew! In just four years, GC’s ragtag bunch of volunteers have completely reshaped Canberra politics, redesigned the entire planning scheme and secured crosspartisan support for the changes.
It's fantastic to see @greatercanberra.org.au strong advocacy for zoning reform is paying off! The only way to end this housing shortage is to build our way out.
Public consultation is open until 22 July. Find out more on YourSay: yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/missing-midd...
Our media release: greatercanberra.org/blog/media-r...
It's early days yet but we are optimistic about what these changes can do to boost density and remove barriers to building sustainable, walkable, well-connected neighbourhoods.
Missing Middle Reform - Have your say!
MISSING MIDDLE IS COMING TO CANBERRA!
The ACT Government has today released its Missing Middle plan to enable more medium-density housing across Canberra.
It's time for the federal government to step up and lead. We need more medium density housing. We need more social and public housing. We need more assistance for renters. Let's do it!
Howard Maclean, showing a statistical table from 1911 about housing costs in Australia
And now, last but not least, @howardfmaclean.bsky.social, telling us that Australia hasn't built enough housing, and that's why we spend more on housing than we did when we were a much poorer country a century ago.
Slide - first home buyers
Slide on rent prices in the ACT
The @davidpocock.bsky.social housing event is kicking off - good to see him pointing out that the major party policy announcements are too focused on first home buyers when we need to care about everyone including renters
On tonight - register now!
The Great Housing Debate - register at davidpocock.com.au
TOMORROW NIGHT: Our convenor, @howardfmaclean.bsky.social, will be joining @davidpocock.bsky.social's panel discussion on the Great Housing Debate to make the case for Missing Middle housing!
Join us 6:30pm-8pm at Erindale Theatre!
Register and submit your questions here: buff.ly/oIL3tZp
Together with our friends at @sydney.yimby.au, @yimby.melbourne and @greaterbrisbane.org, today we're launching THE BRICK BOOK, our federal policy platform for the 2025 election.
⬇️Read it here!
MEDIA RELEASE: Stop NIMBY lawfare against public housing
We strongly support the Government’s legislation to fast-track planning approvals for public housing and public health facilities by removing the possibility of third-party ACAT appeals.
buff.ly/4hp7NTy
made my first planning submission in favour of this
"Years ago, there's a development in Marrickville right on the station called Revolution Apartments. It's in the old Marrickville RSL site. And I had a group of people come to see me, and they were totally hostile to the development. And I said to them, 'what better location is there for medium density?' I think it's probably six or seven stories high, and they got additional apartments allowed by having some affordable housing development in there. Importantly, they don't need a car space for every flat, because it's right on Marrickville station." - Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia
It's great to see the Prime Minister take leadership on making Australia a country that builds the homes that people need🏘️🏗️
Support more homes in Ainslie! Draft Plan Amendment 2 would allow the Ainslie Football Club to advance a mixed use project that protects its existing oval while delivering 200-400 homes. Find more details about how to show your support below!
www.planning.act.gov.au/professional...
AHNA welcomes the addition of housing construction workers to the core skills visa list, a necessary part of building the 1.2 million well-located homes our country desperately needs. We have been calling for this change since our September 2023 letter to Minister O'Neil, and are pleased to see the government finally take action, and actually treat this crisis like a crisis.
The Abundant Housing Network Australia welcomes the addition of housing construction workers to the core skills visa list, a necessary step toward building the 1.2 million well-located homes our country desperately needs.
It’s that time of year - our Annual General Meeting is happening tonight, 6pm at the Griffin Centre in Civic. Come along to hear about what we’ve been up to, and where we’re going next in our push for more homes, and a more liveable and sustainable Canberra.
Over the past year, the ACT has built more homes per person than any state bar Victoria. The result? Rental affordability has *improved*. There’s a long way to go, but it’s clear that building more homes is the key to making Canberra more affordable for all.
Our next members and supporters catch-up is on tomorrow (Saturday) at the new time of 2pm! Catch us at Tilley’s Devine Cafe in Lyneham to talk about all things housing and urbanism. All welcome.
