Canberra's community councils say residents no longer have confidence in the territory's planning system and they want the next government to promptly complete a review of the territory plan.
The ACT's seven community councils have said powerful interests and political convenience is given priority over community views.
The Combined Community Councils of the ACT have released their election wishlist.
They have called for the review of the territory plan to be completed in a timely manner and have asked for the 66 recommendations of an inquiry into development applications to be immediately implemented.
"We're urging a review of the territory plan is completed in a timely way, that all the stakeholders are actively sought and that its outcomes are implemented," Combined Community Councils of the ACT spokesman Peter Elford said.
Among the commitments it wanted from candidates was the ACT government should create a district liaison officers role to be an internal advocate with government.
Mr Elford, who is president of the Gungahlin Community Council, said councils found it difficult to engage with the ACT government particularly due to the many government agencies.
"What we're suggesting is the government employ precinct or district liaison officers so they act as internal advocates in government for the district of Gungahlin or Belconnen," he said.
"Externally, they help those communities engage with government by being a focal point so instead of all of us having to have relationships with people across many directorates we can improve that... this will make a significant difference."
