09 October 2024
Thousands of new rentals in Labor’s 30,000 by 2030 housing plan

As part of our plan to support 30,000 new homes for our growing city a re-elected Labor Government will support more build-to-rent projects including a pilot key worker housing project. 
 
This will allow a Labor Government to deliver thousands of long term rentals throughout our city, providing more homes for Canberrans where they want to live. 
 
A re-elected Labor Government will support up new build-to-rent projects across the city, particularly along public transport routes and in town centres. 
 
We will work with the owners and operators of Westfield Woden, Westfield Belconnen and Southpoint Tuggeranong on options for well-designed build-to-rent projects as part of renovation or redevelopment opportunities in these major commercial precincts.
 
Build-to-rent projects will also be encouraged as part of planned developments in Gungahlin Town Centre East, the Molonglo Town Centre, the Acton Waterfront and Thoroughbred Park. 

A project in Dickson will cater specifically to the needs of older Canberrans to provide greater housing choice as people age.
 
A re-elected Labor Government will continue providing direct financial assistance to support build-to-rent developments that support more affordable housing. 
 
This assistance can include upfront financial assistance such as a Lease Variation Charge (LVC) concession, a direct grant to fast-track a project, or ongoing financial assistance to ensure continued provision of the affordable rentals in a development.

Labor will also deliver a key worker housing project as part of our plan for the Bruce Sports, Health and Education precinct. 
 
The project will support our plan to hire more key workers and grow our public services, providing lower than market rents for an allocated workforce. 
 
It will also form part of the renewal of the Bruce precinct, with a new Northside Hospital, a renewed CIT Belconnen and a new Canberra Stadium. 
 
We again reiterate our calls for the Liberals and the Greens to support urgent passage of Commonwealth legislation and enable build to rent and help to buy schemes to be enacted in the ACT.
 
We know that Canberrans want more homes to buy and rent, and they want to see the Government building more homes for people who can’t afford it. Labor has a practical plan to get it done.
 
As more and more people choose to call our city home, Labor will continue to deliver the housing Canberrans will need well into the future. 
 
It’s all part of our progressive, practical and proven plan for Canberra.

Statement ends

Media contact:
Kaarin Dynon    0422 772 215   [email protected]