Canberra to consult on western edge protections from urban sprawl
Planning Minister Chris Steel expects strong protections for Canberra's western edge. Talks will start mid-2027.
Planning Minister Chris Steel told Parliament stronger protections against urban sprawl are coming for Canberra's western edge. Steel said the government expects the urban growth boundary to cover major parts or all of the western zone.
The government plans to talk about the boundary around mid-2027. The consultation will be part of an updated planning and transport strategy.
The government is gathering evidence on ecology, threatened species, heritage and land features. Steel said rural landowners need to see this evidence first.
No final choices have been made on the boundary's shape or location. The western edge is already a non-urban zone.
This means suburbs cannot be built there under current Territory Plan rules.
- mid-2027
- Consultation timing
- significant parts or full western edge
- Boundary coverage
- Chris Steel
- Planning Minister
- April 2025
- Growth boundary agreement
Why it mattersCould prevent urban sprawl and protect valuable environmental and cultural sites west of the nation's capital.
AustraliaCanberra residents and ACT landholders await decisions on western land use; the boundary could reshape the city's future expansion.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 d ago
