Premier Jacinta Allan and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny have unveiled draft plans to deliver more homes near Melbourne’s busiest train stations and tram corridors, aiming to boost housing supply in connected suburbs.
The draft maps, released in Kew, set out proposed building heights and boundaries for 25 of 50 new Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres. The government says the program could help deliver more than 300,000 new homes by 2051, putting more families within reach of jobs, services and transport.
Seven of the proposed centres are linked to the new Metro Tunnel, including Carnegie, Hughesdale, Murrumbeena and Oakleigh, along with Middle Footscray, West Footscray and Tottenham. Others are spread along major train and tram lines, such as Hawthorn, Glenferrie and Auburn on the Belgrave/Lilydale line, Sandringham and Hampton on the Sandringham line, and Tooronga and Holmesglen on the Glen Waverley line. Brunswick and Coburg are set to benefit from more frequent Upfield services, while Heidelberg and Thornbury are also included in the plan.
The government has drawn up a two-tier structure for development. Areas immediately around stations and tram corridors, labelled as ‘cores’, could see taller apartment buildings of up to 16 storeys. These would be exempt from VCAT review if they comply with planning rules, with applications above those limits required to go through the normal process.
Surrounding ‘catchment’ areas would be limited to lower-rise housing. Inner catchments, within a five-minute walk, would allow up to four storeys, or six on large blocks, while outer catchments within ten minutes would be capped at three or four storeys. Heritage protections and overlays remain unchanged.
The government said the draft maps were shaped by earlier community feedback, which drew almost 3,000 submissions and 2,000 participants at sessions. The second stage of consultation will run through September and October, giving residents a chance to weigh in on proposed heights, setbacks and boundaries.
Ms Allan said the reforms were about opening doors for families. “We’re making this city fairer for workers and families. Too many people are locked out of suburbs where they want to live – and I’m on their side,” she said.
She added that opponents of the plan were misrepresenting it. “The same old blockers will be out in force lying about what these plans mean. Our train and tram zones are sensible and gentle and they’re all about keeping Melbourne affordable for the next generation. Only Labor is opening doors for young families to live near the things they need and the people they love.”
Ms Kilkenny said the government was willing to adjust plans in response to community concerns. “We’ve listened to the community through the first round of consultation, and we’ll continue to do so. We’re prepared to make changes that reflect the feedback we get. That’s exactly what we did with the first ten pilot activity centres,” she said.
Final controls for the 25 centres are expected after consultation is complete, with the government aiming to extend the program across 50 hubs by early next year.
For more information on draft maps, visit: engage.vic.gov.au/activity-centres-program
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