Major changes to dual occupancy
By allhomes staff
Major changes to the dual occupancy regime were announced today by Planning Minister Simon Corbell.
Under the new regime:
0 Dual occupancy will be allowed on any block throughout Canberra over 700 sq m.
0 Title can be divided.
0 Change of use charges (of 75 per cent of the change in value) will apply throughout Canberra. Previously there was no change of use charge in older areas where lease purposes were described as “residential” without stipulating how many dwellings.
0 Canberra suburbs will have “core residential areas” defined. They will be the areas within 200m of shops, give or take according to section, roads, paths and so on. The rest will be called suburban areas.
0 In suburban areas, the percentage gross floor area will reduce on a sliding scale as the block gets bigger – starting at 35 per cent at 700 sq m reducing to 22 per cent on 2000 sq m. Gross floor area will have to include space for two cars per dwelling even if there is one or no garages. No triple occupancies. Two-storey limit with no basements or attics in addition. Back house must be smaller than front one. No block amalgamation.
0 In core areas, the 35 per cent applies irrespective of the size of the block and can rise to 50 per cent if both have street frontages. Block amalgamation allowed.
0 This to apply after Assembly approval, other than the user charge which applies immediately.
Corbell said the measures along with earlier changes on private open space and setbacks will improve the garden elements of Canberra and put an end to market-driven, oversize dual occupancies which allowing dual occupancies to renew housing stock and to provide a more diverse choice of housing.