New ACT road and pathway closure fees could add thousands of dollars to building projects and push up housing costs, Master Builders ACT says.

ACT Government’s City Services website has published road lane and pathway closure permit fees applicable from July 1, 2026, including a 24-hour major-road lane closure fee at $5 a metre a day, a minor-road lane at $3.50 a metre a day and a community path at $1 a metre a day.

A 100-metre, seven-day, 24-hour major-road lane closure would cost $3500 before other permit, traffic-management or construction costs.

Master Builders ACT CEO Anna Neelagama said the charges were a surprise to industry and would come at the worst possible time for builders and homeowners.

“These charges were a surprise to industry and will add thousands of dollars to building and construction costs when builders and homeowners can least afford it,” she said.

“Road and pathway closures are an unavoidable part of building new homes, particularly in established suburbs.”

Ms Neelagama said the government wanted the industry to deliver more complex infill housing, including missing-middle homes, but the fees would “charge a premium” for that work.

“The ACT Government wants local builders to deliver more complex infill housing and help reduce pressure on the environment, but these fees charge a premium for delivering the very homes the Government says it wants,” she said.

The builders’ group is calling on the government to reconsider the fees and consult industry before adding new costs to housing delivery.

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