ACT Zoning Adjustments Hit Gungahlin and Belconnen Supply, Lifting Median Values

The ACT Government gazetted changes to the Territory Plan on 8 July 2026 that cap new apartment approvals in parts of Gungahlin while permitting taller buildings along Northbourne Avenue within 800 metres of the Dickson interchange.

Public servants on fixed salaries have driven most sales in the past two years, yet rising construction costs and persistent low vacancy have pushed the median house price to $835,000. The fresh zoning limits reduce the pipeline of one- and two-bedroom units that previously absorbed first-home buyer demand in outer suburbs, forcing more buyers into established detached stock.

North-side corridors face tighter supply

Blocks fronting Hibberson Street in Gungahlin Town Centre and the former Belconnen Markets site now face a 12-metre height limit instead of the previous 18 metres. The Suburban Land Agency confirmed it will delay release of two greenfield estates south of the Gungahlin Lakes until 2028 to align with updated infrastructure sequencing. Agents report that listings in these pockets have already fallen 18 percent compared with the same period last year.

Auction clearance rates across Canberra have held near 65 percent through June, with Belconnen detached homes clearing at 71 percent. Data from the ACT Revenue Office shows 312 properties changed hands in the four weeks to 7 July, down from 389 in the corresponding period of 2025, reflecting tighter stock rather than weaker buyer interest.

Buyers shift focus to established pockets

Properties within walking distance of the Dickson light-rail stop recorded a median of $912,000 last month, a 6 percent lift on May figures. Purchasers priced out of new Gungahlin units are now inspecting three-bedroom townhouses in Watson and O'Connor, where blocks average 650 square metres and still allow secondary dwellings under the revised code.

Prospective buyers should review the updated Territory Plan maps on the ACT Planning website before shortlisting, then contact local agents for current comparable sales within their target price band and postcode.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.