The Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) is intended to protect land of environmental and agricultural value while supporting the Territory’s long-term housing and employment needs. This approach aligns with the National Capital Open Space System (NCOOS) under the National Capital Plan, which safeguards hills, ridges and river corridors from urban development.
The UGB is being considered as part of broader planning reforms, including the development of a new, integrated Planning and Transport Strategy.
Legislative Assembly Resolution
On 10 April 2025, the Legislative Assembly passed a resolution Urban Growth Boundary Establishment - Western Edge and Eastern Broadacre (resolution) about the measures to protect the Western Edge and Eastern Broadacre area and the establishment of an urban growth boundary.
Government Response report
The full text resolution and Government Response is available on the Legislative Assembly website: Urban Growth Boundary Establishment – Western Edge and Eastern Broadacre – Assembly Resolution of 10 April 2025
Major Plan Amendment
Major Plan Amendment 05 – Removing the Future Urban Area (FUA) overlay and setting zoning for a number of sites, including Bluetts Block and Coombs Peninsula
MPA-05 amends the Territory Plan map to remove a number of sites from the future urban area (FUA) overlay, confirm the applicable land use zoning and undertake some minor adjustments to the Molonglo River reserve boundary in accordance with the Legislative Assembly UGB resolution.
The Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development has approved MPA-05. Documentation is available on the Major plan amendment page.
Progress statements
The ACT Government will publish half-yearly statements on progress in delivering an urban growth boundary, beginning in the first Legislative Assembly sittings of 2026.
Statement on progress in considering an urban growth boundary – February 2026 [PDF 558.9 KB]
Related projects
Eastern Broadacre
The Eastern Broadacre is an area to the east of Canberra identified as a future employment corridor, extending from the Majura valley in the north to Hume in the south and includes parts of Symonston and Jerrabomberra Valley.
Read more on Eastern Broadacre.
Western Edge
The ACT Government is investigating land to the west of Canberra's metropolitan area as we continue to plan for our city's future. A number of studies are being done over a number of years to identify possible future uses for the land, which may include nature reserves, environmental protection areas and potential urban areas.
Read more on Western edge investigation.
