An unprecedented proposal to group 17 sites into a so-called Draft Omnibus Territory Plan Variation has been reconsidered after community concerns.
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The ACT government has decided to split the proposal into uncontroversial sites and sites where concerns were raised.
The original proposal aimed to change the purpose of 17 sites across Canberra's north and south in one fell swoop.
An Environment and Planning Directorate spokeswoman said the government would move on the omnibus variation in two packages.
"If the sites were to go out as one package, the sites that are ready now would have to wait until all the other sites are ready to go to consultation, causing a needless delay," a directorate spokeswoman said.
The first package will include the sites in Charnwood, Downer, Greenway, Kaleen, Lyons, Mitchell, Symonston and Stirling and will be released for formal consultation in late October.
The second package – containing the controversial sites – will be released in early 2015. This avoids consulting over the Christmas period.
The directorate spokeswoman said this would also allow more time for the sites in the second package to be resolved and finalised with input from the community.
"The significant benefit of this approach is that the variations, particularly the more complex ones, are not rushed and are allowed the time to work through any issues with the community," she said.
The decision follows talks between directorate and community representatives that sprang from a North Canberra Community Council meeting in September.
North Canberra Community Council chairman Michael Hettinger praised the decision.
"It is really refreshing and we are hoping we can rack up some win-wins," he said. "With everyone engaging from the beginning in a positive way means everyone can try and make sure they get what they want.
"That NCCC meeting was a real spark that started it all … and we just hope it keeps going like this."
Inner South Community Council president Gary Kent welcomed the decision to place four controversial sites in the inner south in the second package.
"The government wanted to keep the more routine sites going so it is a good thing to split it," Mr Kent said. "These are very sensitive, in some ways controversial, proposals. There are a lot of stakeholders such as the public tenants and the local residents. There are traffic considerations, considerations of height, and the best outcome for the community and the government is that these things are worked through in a systematic way.
"The last thing we want to do is keep to an earlier timeline and muck it up. We are delighted with the level of consultation, which we believe is a first."
Meanwhile the Community Services Directorate and Chief Minister's, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate will be holding design workshops with the community on Red Hill Flats, Stuart Flats and Gowrie Court, and Dickson Section 72 after the school holidays in October.
