THE ACT government’s zoning changes announced on Monday are an “unambitious copy” of Canberra Liberals’ policy that don’t go far enough, says Liberal planning spokesman Peter Cain. 

Referring to his party’s 2020 ACT election commitment, which would have allowed separately titled dual occupancies on RZ1 blocks over 800m², Cain criticised the plan to restrict second dwellings to 120m².

“Allowing dual occupancies on eligible blocks is a no-brainer to create respectful infill without destroying the character of the suburbs.

“There are blocks across Canberra that extend well over a quarter of an acre, yet under the government’s policy, the owner would be limited to constructing a 120m² second dwelling.”

“A 120m² granny flat is not the silver bullet to fix housing affordability, provide broader housing choice and increase urban infill in Canberra.

“The Labor-Greens government want to be seen to be solving housing despite the fact that they have for a long time controlled all of the measures, which have resulted in Canberra’s current housing affordability crisis and poor planning outcomes.”

Plan allows dual occupancy on big blocks