The national capital role of Canberra requires that planning and development particularly in the centre of Canberra, and generally throughout the territory should have a high aesthetic and environmental quality and be in accordance with its national significance. Planning controls should seek to ensure that development in all forms, including landscaping in urban and non-urban areas, complements and enriches its surrounds.

The NCA seeks to ensure that an ongoing process of review and monitoring of planning controls is undertaken in order to identify strategic planning and development initiatives and ensure that the National Capital Plan is current and relevant. Strategic planning activities and projects may lead to future amendments to the National Capital Plan.

Current projects include:

• Barton Land Use Policy Analysis
• National Capital Open Space System (NCOSS) Review