AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

FREEHOLD LAND (SUB-DIVISION AND USE) ORDINANCE 1967

Explanatory Memorandum

No. 27 of 1967

	The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide an interim legislative scheme to prevent undesirable development of freehold areas within the Australian Capital Territory, pending the introduction of a permanent scheme to control such development.  At present there is an area of 93,000 acres of rural land owned in freehold by private citizens.

	In the absence of planning legislation, there is no adequate control over the use to which portions of the last mentioned area can be put.  Some form of land use control and planning is required in order to prevent the development of any such areas in a manner which might be inconsistent with the planned growth and development of the Australian Capital Territory.

	The Ordinance sets out to preserve the status quo both as to the sub-division of freehold land into the holdings presently held, and as to the use to which land and buildings outside the city area of Canberra may be put.

	Proposals for a permanent scheme are presently being considered.  In the meantime, however, in order to prevent any development which may later be found to be inconsistent with the interests of good planning, the proposed legislative scheme has been prepared.

	The introduction of this interim legislation, the operation of which will cease as at 30 June 1968, is aimed at preventing speculation during this period.

          J.D.A.
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 (Minister’s Initials)