The suggestion of a shake-up of Canberra's planning laws will send a shockwave through those in established suburbs in the territory.
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A new discussion paper on the ACT's future housing supply foreshadows potential changes to RZ1 zoning rules, which cover about 81 per cent of the capital's residential land.
Separate unit titling of dual occupancies in these zones has been floated as a way of helping to meet the demand for medium-density housing.
It is a common cry from the housing industry that there are not enough blocks released for such housing in the territory.
Overwhelmingly land releases are small single blocks in new but outer Canberra suburbs and large multi-unit sites.
There are not many opportunities to buy medium density housing, something that contributes to the affordable housing problem in the territory.
Enabling smaller homes or townhouses in established suburbs would both help our ageing population to downsize and stay in their suburb and allow another option for first home buyers.
The ACT government and various developers have had a tumultuous trying to create infill opportunities in established parts of Canberra.
These typically involve large parcels of land being redeveloped into hundreds of apartments to the horror of residents in the immediate area.
The most obvious example of this is the proposal by the Land Development Agency two years ago to turn an area around the Yarralumla Brickworks into almost 2000 residences.
Severe backlash from the community and the National Capital Authority led to a reversal of the decision and a much smaller area is now being developed by Doma for 380 residences.
Such anger directed at the government when infill projects are suggested could be one reason behind the consideration to allow more flexibility on large suburban blocks.
If people welcome the opportunity to divide their block and build two separately titled homes this will help to increase populations of suburbs without the disharmony created by apartment complexes.
This is an idea that must be canvassed with the community and strongly considered by the government. We must find a way to unlock more land without continually expanding.
