ACT Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee has today announced the Canberra Liberals’ plan to deliver 125,000 new dwellings in the capital by 2050, that will ensure genuine housing choice and affordability for all Canberrans.

Ms Lee said a Canberra Liberals government will achieve the ambitious target through responsible urban renewal, releasing more land, and encouraging more housing choice.

"The Canberra Liberals have a clear plan to deliver 125,000 new dwellings by 2050 through:

• developing Kowen as a new urban district and town centre for Canberra

• commencing development at Symonston and work with Federal Government to unlock former CSIRO Ginninderra land for housing development

• accelerating land release in suburbs currently under development such as Macnamara, Whitlam and Kenny

• auctioning all single residential blocks of land available 'over the counter' owned by the Suburban Land Agency in Jacka and Whitlam with 10% of those reserved for first home buyers offered at 75% of market value

• allowing separately titled dual occupancies on eligible RZ1 blocks larger than 800m2 to maximise land use in suburban zones

• promoting mixed-use residential development in CZ2 and CZ3 retail precincts and trades areas to encourage residential development in established commercial centres

• fast-tracking planning approvals for the proposed Thoroughbred Park redevelopment for housing

• protecting the ecologically significant Western Edge from future development by ceasing all investigative studies of the area

"The ACT Labor-Greens government has completely failed when it comes to providing genuine housing choice and as a result Canberra is in a housing crisis.

"An accelerated release of land will help alleviate supply issues imposed by the Labor-Greens Government, make housing more affordable and increase choice for the type of home Canberrans want to live in.

“The measures announced today by the Canberra Liberals will commit 10 per cent of all new developments being reserved for social housing will allow for a mix of standalone housing, apartments, townhouses, duplexes and terraces and offer real choice for all Canberrans.

"By meeting these targets more than $900 million in net revenue could be returned to the ACT Government over the course of the term, excluding additional rates, land tax and lease variation take up,” Ms Lee concluded.

Shadow Minister for Planning and Land Management Peter Cain said it is essential to strike the right balance between densifying our city centre, town centres and key transport corridors, while preserving Canberra's Bush Capital and Garden City characteristics.

“Canberrans want infill and renewal to occur in appropriate urban areas rather than despoiling the character of our quiet suburban streets,” said Mr Cain.

“We have a sensible plan to promote responsible urban renewal to address within RZ1 areas and established commercial centres, while simultaneously expediting residential land releases and instigating new urban development in appropriate areas.

“We need big, bold ideas to address the unprecedented housing affordability and supply crisis the ACT is experiencing in large part due to the Labor-Greens Government.”

“The Canberra Liberals are offering Canberrans a fresh opportunity to have a government that will help, not hinder, their pursuit of home ownership in the ACT,” Mr Cain concluded.

The Canberra Liberals will have further announcements on social and community housing in the lead up to the election.