Background to the Eastern Broadacre Strategic Assessment (EBSA)

The Eastern Broadacre area is identified for new industrial and job opportunities in the ACT Planning Strategy 2018 [PDF 18.5 MB] and in the  East Canberra District Strategy . Planning must also consider existing land uses and protect important environmental areas.

The Statement of Planning Priorities 2025-2028 contains the following relevant priorities and actions:

  • Outline Canberra’s future job and innovation precinct – Outline the future industrial, services and other land uses needed to support future employment and economic development in the Territory, including in the Eastern Broadacre; and
  • Provide for environmental protections – Finalise key environmental and planning assessments in the Eastern Broadacre area to provide certainty about future use of the large corridor of the ACT and Commonwealth managed land.

The area is subject to a strategic assessment (Eastern Broadacre Strategic Assessment (EBSA) under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as it contains critically endangered plants and animals. These include natural temperate grassland, striped legless lizard, and the grassland earless dragon.

The strategic assessment looks at how possible development could affect these important environmental values. The results will help guide future land use and rezoning decisions.

Project update

Since the ACT and Australian Governments agreed to the EBSA in 2014, there have been several delays. The process was paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and paused again whilst the ACT Government undertook the city-wide Planning System Review and Reform Project.

Work restarted in late 2022. A consultant was engaged, and documents were updated with new environmental information and internal consultation.

In April 2024, draft reports were submitted to the Australian Government. Feedback was received in July 2024, raising matters such as outdated survey data and mapping.

Because of this feedback, more studies are now being conducted, including new environmental surveys.

Recent work includes:

  • Surveys for striped legless lizard (August to December 2025)
  • Drafting key planning and assessment documents
  • Mapping vegetation, habitats and threatened species
  • Studying animals, birds and insects, including night surveys
  • Completing an initial ecological report

Updated draft reports are expected to be resubmitted to the Australian Government later in 2026. Public exhibition is anticipated to commence in early 2027, subject to agreement by the Australian Government.

When public notification is ready to commence, the ACT Government will alert stakeholders including local community groups, rural lessees and stakeholder groups. The ACT Government will provide a clear pathway for these groups, and individuals, to have their say on the proposal.

Assembly Motion

In April 2025, the ACT Legislative Assembly (the Assembly) passed a resolution for the establishment of an urban growth boundary. The full resolution is provided at Urban Growth Boundary Establishment – Western Edge and Eastern Broadacre – Assembly Resolution of 10 April 2025.

The Assembly called for the protection of the Eastern Broadacre area and asked for the EBSA to be released by 31 July 2026.

The ACT Government remains committed to publishing relevant documentation, as soon as relevant studies are complete and endorsement has been provided by the Australian Government. This will not occur before 31 July 2026. In lieu of the publication of reports, the ACT Government has committed to providing an update on this page on the current status and next steps.

Consultation

Landholders have been contacted to allow access for surveys. More engagement with local stakeholders will happen as the draft reports are developed and shared publicly. Public consultation on draft EBSA reports is currently anticipated to commence in early 2027.

The ACT Government is also working closely with the Australian Government during this process.

More information

Further details are available in the following documents: