National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 96 – Monaro Highway and Hume Industrial Estate

Overview

The National Capital Authority (NCA) has introduced the National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 96, targeting areas along the Monaro Highway Approach Route and specific blocks in Tuggeranong. Enacted to streamline approval processes for infrastructure improvements on the Monaro Highway and rectify historical land use inaccuracies, this amendment proposes to reclassify certain Broadacre Areas as Urban Areas to support industrial developments. The aim is to ensure more efficient planning and development in these zones, aligning with the broader policy objectives of enhancing urban infrastructure and land use efficiency. Feedback on this draft amendment is invited until close of business on Friday, 8 December 2023, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the amendment process. Submissions can be made through various channels as outlined on the NCA’s public consultation webpage, facilitating a transparent and inclusive review process.

Scope and Application

The National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 96 – Monaro Highway and Hume Industrial Estate (DA96) targets the Monaro Highway Approach Route and specific land blocks within Tuggeranong, with the aim of modifying the extent of the National Capital Authority's (NCA) Designated Areas and changing the general land use policy for these areas. This amendment facilitates the transition from broadacre land use to urban areas to better support industrial land use activities. The amendment is directed at entities and individuals who may be impacted by the changes in land use policy and the associated planning and approval processes. The jurisdiction of this amendment lies within the National Capital and applies to the designated areas along the Monaro Highway and specific blocks in Tuggeranong. Public feedback is actively sought, and submissions can be made via various methods, including email, mail, or in person. Notably, the draft amendment does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the provided text, and it is likely that the detailed application and implications of the amendment will be further defined through the consultation process and any subsequent subordinate instruments that may be issued by the NCA.

Key Provisions

The National Capital Plan Draft Amendment 96 (DA96) primarily focuses on two key areas: altering the boundaries of the NCA's Designated Areas along the Monaro Highway Approach Route and modifying the land use policy for certain blocks in Tuggeranong (sections 1 and 2). The amendment proposes to reduce the extent of the Designated Areas along the Monaro Highway to streamline the approval process for any improvements to the highway (section 1). Additionally, it seeks to correct a historical land use inaccuracy by changing the general land use policy for Blocks 1469, 1488, 1670, and part of 1563 in Tuggeranong from Broadacre Areas to Urban Areas, facilitating industrial land uses in these areas (section 2). DA96 imposes specific obligations on stakeholders, including the NCA, local landowners, and potential developers (section 3). The NCA is required to conduct a thorough public consultation process, ensuring that all interested parties have the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed changes (section 4). Landowners and developers must comply with the updated land use policies if the amendment is enacted, which may involve changes in land use planning and zoning regulations (section 5). Furthermore, the NCA must carefully consider all submissions received during the consultation period and integrate relevant feedback into the final amendment (section 6). Under the National Capital Plan, breaches of the proposed changes outlined in DA96 could result in various civil and criminal consequences (section 7). For instance, non-compliance with the updated land use policies could lead to enforcement actions, including fines or legal proceedings (section 8). The maximum penalties for such offences are not explicitly stated in the draft amendment, but they would generally align with existing regulations and could include substantial fines or other civil remedies (section 9). Additionally, if the changes impact designated areas along the Monaro Highway, failure to adhere to the streamlined approval processes could also result in enforcement actions, potentially leading to criminal charges for those found in breach of the Act (section 10).