Majority of Land Releases for Canberra Housing by 2030 Will Focus on Multi-Unit Developments

By 2030, nearly nine out of 10 land blocks released for residential development across Canberra will be designated for multi-unit housing, a move industry experts say strikes a sensible balance for the city’s future housing needs.

The ACT government’s latest Housing Supply and Land Release Program aims to deliver 26,000 new homes through strategic land releases. While sites for new single dwellings are planned for Belconnen, Gungahlin, the Molonglo Valley, and selected areas in East Canberra, all other districts will see land designated primarily for multi-unit developments.

This initiative supports the government’s broader goal of adding 30,000 homes by 2030, coinciding with an expected population increase of 48,000 residents. The private sector is projected to contribute significantly, with an anticipated increase in housing supply from the current 1,000–1,500 homes annually to over 9,000 over the next five years.

Last month, Treasurer and Planning Minister Chris Steel proposed planning reforms to ease restrictions on “missing middle housing” options such as townhouses, terraces, and low-rise apartments in suburban areas. These measures aim to diversify housing types and address Canberra’s growing demand for affordable and suitable living options.