The ACT Greens believe:
1. planning systems should be based on a long-term vision of urban sustainability and subject to regular reviews in light of the challenges associated with climate change
2. urban planning should promote inclusiveness, equity, and a sense of community and place
3. Canberra’s character as the ‘bush capital’ should underlie planning and development policies and programs
4. ACT urban planning processes should encourage innovation, creativity and excellence
5. it is generally preferable to retro-fit and renew than to demolish and rebuild
6. urban planning has an integral role to play in making Canberra a child-friendly city.

The ACT Greens want:
1. implementation of urban planning and design that is ecologically sustainable
2. construction of Greenfield developments to minimise the emission of greenhouse gasses and other pollutants
3. ACT Government planning regulations to equitably address the challenges of climate change
4. urban development in which transport infrastructure, community facilities, government and commercial activities are well integrated
5. housing developments that are consolidated around town and commercial centres, and serviced by an effective public transport network
6. planning and development processes that are transparent, subject to review, and coordinated between ACT, NSW and Australian Government authorities
7. a coherent, well-resourced, consultative neighbourhood planning process.

The ACT Greens support:
1. working towards a unified planning framework for the ACT
2. establishing five-yearly reviews of major ACT planning documents
3. mandating environmental and social impact assessments for major development variations to territory planning documents
4. eliminating unnecessary repetition in ACT planning legislation
5. re-establishing a neighbourhood planning process and extending its coverage to all suburbs
6. amending planning legislation to promote:
6.1. consolidated development around town, regional and neighbourhood centres
6.2. equitable and ecologically sustainable medium and high density housing
6.3. enhancement of our park and public open space network
6.4. the inclusion of community gardens into neighbourhoods
6.5. sustainable transport oriented design
6.6. protection of access to sunlight for property owners and occupants
6.7. alteration of existing housing to meet changing needs while preserving the current urban form
7. protecting native ecosystems with high conservation value by precluding urban development
8. adopting the principles of child-friendly planning promoted by UNICEF
9. enforceable development standards for energy and water efficiency in residential and commercial developments, including random audits and penalties for non-compliance
10. mandating passive solar orientation of new residential homes and other buildings in subdivisions
11. reviewing relevant provisions in planning and development legislation to provide clear guidance on identifying, managing and eliminating conflicts of interest
12. mandating the disclosure of political donations made by development applicants
13. increasing the capacity for planning and development review bodies to deal with public interest matters
14. developing a centralised, user-friendly Internet portal for online planning and development information.

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