YWCA Canberra welcomes the announcement today by Planning Minister Chris Steel to exempt public housing from third party appeals in the ACT’s administrative tribunal. This reform will fast-track housing delivery and help move more people off the public housing waitlist.
Since 2019, 20 public housing proposals have been held up at the Tribunal. Nearly all of these proposals were in inner-suburban areas close to amenities and services which people in need of supported housing rely on.
YWCA Canberra is familiar with the costly and lengthy nature of ACAT appeals and first called for this reform in 2022 during the review of the ACT Planning System. In our advice, we noted how the administrative review process was being gamed by a small minority looking to skuttle suitable housing proposals that have otherwise met the conditions for approval.
At the time we noted that if exemptions were not introduced, sensible social housing proposals would be subject to routine and costly objections jeopardising the community housing sector’s willingness to contribute to new supply.
YWCA Canberra CEO, Frances Crimmins stated:
“As a community housing provider, YWCA Canberra spent two years tied up in an expensive ACAT appeal as we tried to build 9 supported homes for women leaving violence or otherwise facing homelessness. Without an eventual Ministerial call-in for our small development, these women would still be waiting for housing”.
“This is a hugely significant announcement that will provide certainty to community housing developers and those in need of housing” – Frances Crimmins said.
We urge the Canberra Liberals, the ACT Greens and the cross bench to support this sensible and much needed reform.
For more information, please contact:
Eleanor Sander O’Hearn
Executive Director Communications Advocacy Engagement
Eleanor.sanderohearn@ywca-canberra.org.au
0475 240 101