2025-11-10
The ACT Greens have proposed amendments to Labor's Territory Priority Projects bill that better balance the ACT's urgent need for more homes and environmental protection.
ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay said the Greens have consulted with the housing industry, community housing providers, environment organisations, Labor, Liberals and the Independents on the amendments.
In May, the Committee on Environment, Planning, Transport and City Services found significant flaws in Labor’s proposed legislation. Territory Priority Projects waive third party appeal rights but currently require pre-development application consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny.
Labor's bill removed early consultation and Parliament oversight from public housing and health projects that are declared Territory Priority Projects, in addition to removing community housing from a development which can be put on the fast track through this process.
The ACT Greens amendments will fix the issues raised by the committee by allowing community housing to be declared a Territory Priority Project and add in essential environmental and First Nations cultural protections for all Territory Priority Projects.
"Canberra's public housing waitlist has increased from 3,000 to 3,500 so far this year. We've seen the ACT Labor Government revoke the Rent Relief Fund before their replacement program is available, pushing more and more people towards homelessness," Ms Clay said.
"The ACT Government's current level of investment in public housing is not meeting the demand. We need proper investment in public housing, in addition to supporting others who are providing affordable, secure homes — community housing providers.
"The bill the Labor Government introduced excluded community housing from becoming a Territory Priority Project. The Greens have proposed, and secured agreement from Labor, to put community housing into this legislation.
"These amendments also ensure that Commonwealth-funded public, community and social housing is prioritised, and that our environment and First Nations cultural rights are looked after while we do this.
"As our city continues to densify, we also need to ensure people have access to green spaces and nature. Our amendments also ensure there is a degree of scrutiny without delaying new public and community homes from being built."
Quotes attributable to Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Canberra, Frances Crimmins:
"YWCA Canberra welcomes the ACT Greens’ decision to support sensible planning reforms that will facilitate the delivery of much-needed social, community and public housing in Canberra.
"Our city is facing an unprecedented housing and homelessness crisis, and meaningful change is long overdue to address the critical need for housing for low-income earners.
"Canberrans now face a clear choice: do we continue to see people experiencing homelessness on our streets, or do we choose to ensure they have a place to call home in our neighbourhoods?
"We can no longer afford to overlook practical and effective legislative reforms that will expedite the construction of public, social and affordable homes.
"This amendment makes sense. It supports low-income Canberrans and brings us closer to a community where everyone has a safe place to live."
Ms Clay's amendments and explanatory statement are available on the ACT Legislative Assembly website.