MPA-04 amends the Territory Plan to better enable subdivision, consolidation and development in the residential zones (generally in the RZ1 and RZ2) across the Australian Capital Territory. The changes will remove barriers in the planning system and enable more housing options (including townhouses, terraces and duplexes) to be developed in existing residential areas.
MPA-04 is supported by the broader Missing Middle Housing Reforms that also include:
- Consequential amendments to the Residential Zones and Subdivision Technical Specifications - the Technical Specifications will be updated by the Authority to coincide with the commencement of MPA-04.
- The Missing Middle Housing Design Guide (MMHDG) will be introduced once approved by the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development and will coincide with the commencement of MPA‑04.
The Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development has approved MPA‑04. The MPA will be presented to the Legislative Assembly and, if not rejected, is expected to commence on 1 July 2026.
Documents approved by the Minister
- Approval Notice – Major Plan Amendment 04 – Missing Middle Housing Reforms [888.1 KB]
- Appendix 1 to Approval – Administration and Governance [645.2 KB]
- Appendix 2 to Approval – Residential Zones Policy [508.4 KB]
- Appendix 3 to Approval – Subdivision Policy [452.9 KB]
- Appendix 4 to Approval – Dictionary [769.2 KB]
Background papers
- Consultation Report and appendices [103.2 MB]
- Proposed Administration and Governance (Track changes version) [747.6 KB]
- Proposed Residential Zones Policy (Track changes version) [523.2 KB]
- Proposed Subdivision Policy (Track changes version) [480.1 KB]
- Proposed Dictionary (Track changes version) [779.7 KB]
- Proposed Technical Specifications – Residential Zones (Track changes version) [1.1 MB]
- Proposed Technical Specifications – Subdivision (Track changes version) [613.1 KB]
- Missing Middle Housing Design Guide – Final Draft (May 2026) [10.2 MB]
