Chief Minister Andrew Barr has declared a more compact city is a more cohesive city as he warned growing urban centres must prioritise stronger community ties. Canberra houses. Inset: ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Picture by Dion Georgopoulos, Keegan Carroll Mr Barr said opportunity would spread out of reach from more people without greater housing density and investment in communities, as he sounded the alarm about political pressure fraying social cohesion.