Planning Minister Simon Corbell published a variation to the territory plan on Tuesday that would restrict supermarkets in local shopping centres to no more than 1000 square metres of floor space. The restrictions are designed to keep the big supermarkets such as Woolworths and Coles out of Canberra's local shopping centres.

Mr Corbell said his draft variation 304 would encourage small businesses in local shopping centres and fulfilled an election promise. Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson said Mr Corbell had stolen a Liberals policy.

Launching his plan yesterday, Mr Corbell said it would protect the smaller supermarket operators, such as IGA.

''The primary intention of this draft variation is to protect the interests of smaller independent supermarkets in the ACT retail industry,'' Mr Corbell said.

''By restricting retail floor space to 1000 square metres in local centres, the government is reinforcing the important role that local centres play in providing convenience retailing to their local communities.

''Currently supermarkets in local centres have no gross floor area limits, but under DV 304, the display and selling area will be limited to 1000 metres.''

There are also changes planned for the rules on supermarkets in the larger group centres.

Supermarkets and other shops selling food in the outlying areas of the centres will be allowed to grow to 1500 square metres. There is now a limit of 300 square metres for shops selling food in those areas and supermarkets are restricted to the central parts of the group complexes.

''This proposal encourages the development of mixed-use buildings in the centres to cater for growing demands for retail, commercial and residential uses that will boost the economy of the centre and make them more vibrant,'' the minister said.

Mr Corbell told the Assembly that the city's smaller supermarket operators had campaigned for the changes contained in DV 304.

''This is proposal which has been sought by small supermarket operators right across the city. It is a proposal that they proactively lobbied the government on.''

Mr Hanson accused the government of adapting an idea of former Liberals leader Zed Seselja, who wrote in a dissenting committee report last year that supermarkets in local centres should be limited to 1000 square metres. ''Why did you not implement this proposal when it was first put forward by Mr Seselja as part of the supermarket inquiry last year?'' Mr Hanson asked the minister.

The Liberals leader said later that Labor was trying to pass the idea off as its own.

''The inquiry last year into supermarket policy that was instigated by the Canberra Liberals - it was a recommendation that the Liberals put forward that was rejected at that stage by the Greens and by Labor,'' he said.

'''It's ironic that the Labor Party is now trying to put that forward as their own idea.''

Supa Express Kaleen owner Chris Haridemos welcomed the change. He said it would give independent retailers such as himself certainty and ensure viability of small business in local centres.

''Not only for the small supermarket operators but also for the takeaways, hairdressers, pharmacies, cafes and other small businesses that occupy tenancies in their local shopping centres,'' Mr Haridemos said

''Canberra's local shopping centres have always been about forging strong community relationships and are seen as the focal point for families, friends and the elderly.''

Supabarn spokesman James Koundouris said the restriction would ensure Canberra residents continued to enjoy their local shopping facilities.