Mr Gentleman outlined plans to review the key planning policy document in a speech to the Legislative Assembly this week, saying it was one of his key priorities for 2018.

While the 2012 plan was a key outcome from the government's Canberra 2030 plan only five years, Mr Gentleman's spokesman said that "major changes" had occurred since it was released including the light rail and urban renewal program.

"The review will consider these changes and ensure the planning strategy remains consistent with its main aim to promote orderly and sustainable development across Canberra," he said.

"The Canberra community and industry will play an important role in shaping a refreshed planning strategy that will ultimately deliver a compact, competitive and sustainable city for the future."

The previous strategy outlined the government's overarching plans to create a more "compact" and sustainable city, and the new one would likely express a similar agenda for the next five years.

That plan did not deal with the specific suburb level details of the planning system, such as those outlined in town centre master plans and precinct codes, instead listed "outcomes" and actions the government wanted for the whole territory.

The 2012 plan said the government would be tracking how those "actions" delivered the "outcomes", but it seems there has been no public reporting on the success or otherwise before the review set to start this year.

While it would involved community consultation, Mr Gentleman has declined to go into any detail about the plans for the strategy and its review, including terms of reference, opportunities for public comment, or its timeframe.

Instead, his spokesman said such information would be "announced in due course".