New laws aimed at stopping the missing middle muddle and getting more homes built

Key points

• New laws have been passed to speed up planning and lease processes for missing middle homes in Canberra. Planning Minister Chris Steel says the changes will mean faster approvals for townhouses, duplexes, terraces and secondary residences.
• Single-dwelling leases will no longer need a Crown lease variation to build a granny flat. Minor lease changes will go through a streamlined pathway with no development application required.
• The Property Council of Australia welcomed the reforms, though it said feasibility and investment challenges remain.