Good News
We are pleased to announce that our cohousing project can finally take the next step in a long approval process.
It’s two years since we applied to be a Demonstration Housing Project for the ACT Government. Once we were selected, we had our first round of public consultation in June 2019. Now it’s time to ask our supporters to send comments into the Territory Plan Section in response to the Draft Variation that relates to our cohousing project (DV376). A related Development Application will be submitted soon.
The deadline for DV376 is close of business on Friday 16 April 2021 and the details of where to find the documents and where to send your comments are below.
Reasons to support us
The draft variation (DV376) proposes a small number of changes specific to our block of land at 24 Angas Street, Ainslie ACT. These changes, if accepted, will enable us to demonstrate the value of the small cohousing model as part of the range of housing choices that should be available to Canberrans.
For more detail about our plans, have a look around the rest of our website, particularly the Design and Process pages.
Your comments on the draft variation might include your own reasons for supporting us, particularly if you are hoping for your own cohousing future or something similar. But here are some aspects of our project we are particularly proud of:
Demonstrating that increased housing density is possible with a design that harmonises with an established Canberra suburb
Designing a 3-unit construction that has a plot ratio (42.3%) that is better than what is permitted for a standalone house
A downsizing option that allows access to a large garden
The passive solar design
The water harvesting system that uses large underground tanks for the garden
A common house that can also be used by neighbours
The shared solar electricity generation and storage system
Designing a community that shares resources
Enhancement of garden city values
How to submit comments
Comments are invited up until close of business on Friday 16 April 2021.
The documents are under the heading “DV376 Demonstration Housing - Co-housing” on the ACT Government planning website.
Written comments should be provided by:
email to terrplan@act.gov.au; or
mail to Territory Plan Section, EPSDD, GPO Box 158, Canberra, ACT 2601; or
hand delivery to Access Canberra, Land Planning and Building Services Shopfront, 8 Darling Street, Mitchell, ACT 2911.
If you have any questions or concerns about our project or how to submit comments, please contact us directly.