There is no doubt that the approval by the authority and by the ACT government's planning department of multi-unit redevelopments is changing the leafy character of the inner south area.

While each proposal is determined on individual merit, as yet there has been no examination of what damage they could be doing together on what is an area of critical importance nationally.

There has been some criticism of the NCA in the past regarding the hold it has over large parts of the territory and the control it exerts over the ACT government.

A case in point is the refusal by the authority to permit dense redevelopment along Adelaide Avenue and near the Governor General's residence as part of the ACT government's now shelved Brickworks plan.

But in this case it is proving a leader in confronting an issue that is displayed throughout the territory.

There are a large number of Canberrans who reject the idea that established suburbs need densification and object when projects are planned.

While the area around Parliament House is of national significance the eroding of the leafy green nature of the "bush capital" is not unique to that site.

Canberra is undergoing rapid change; the construction of the first stage of the light rail, the redevelopment of public housing properties along Northbourne Avenue, and large scale projects around Lake Burley Griffin.

These are all critical to the growth of the capital but we must also keep an eye on what's happening to change the suburbs and town centres.

There is little doubt that the Mr Fluffy buy back and demolition project will change the character of some suburbs and it is understandable there are concerns around the plan.

Other projects command attention when there is strong opposition, like the proposal for the redevelopment of the Curtin shops.

It is time the ACT government commits to a review of the planning strategy to examine this issue in more detail before it is too late for the territory.