ACT land data suggests almost 45,000 blocks are large enough to be eligible.
Most of these are in just two districts: Tuggeranong in the south and Belconnen in the north-west.
In some suburbs — such as Forrest, O’Malley, Weetangera and Turner — almost every RZ1 block is large enough to qualify for the new dual-occupancy rules.
The ACT is one of Australia’s fastest-growing jurisdictions and has significantly higher housing and rental prices than most cities.
The government has been under pressure from community and business groups to allow more medium-density housing, such as townhouses, to be built.
ACT Labor committed in July to support policies that would fill this so-called “missing middle” of the housing market.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the policy announced today would “lead to lower rents and more affordable home purchases”.
He said the Mr Fluffy buyback scheme — which allowed demolished, asbestos-affected properties to be subdivided — was an example of what to expect.
Planning Minister Mick Gentlemen said the 120-square-metre limit on secondary dwellings would ensure that the new homes were “less than expensive”.
Developers and business representatives offered some support for the policy this morning, but expected it to have little impact.
Master Builders Association ACT chief executive Michael Hopkins said the zoning change was a step in the right direction that offered Canberrans more choice.
However, he doubted it would lead to significantly more housing.
The planning changes are expected to take effect from November 27 after the Legislative Assembly approves them.
(ABC)
