Victorian government finalizes high-density zoning plans for Melbourne’s activity centres
Consensus Summary
The Victorian government has finalized planning rules for 25 of 60 ‘activity centres’ in Melbourne to boost high-density housing near transport hubs, allowing buildings up to 20 storeys in parts of Brunswick and Coburg—a rise from draft proposals. Key adjustments include reduced height limits in Middle Brighton (12 storeys max), Oakleigh (6 storeys near Eaton Mall), and Kew Junction (8–10 storeys on High Street), while core zones near stations will fast-track approvals for compliant developments. Over 12,500 public submissions influenced the changes, which aim to create housing opportunities over 25 years, though critics argue only about 110,000 of the targeted 300,000 homes may be viable. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has pledged to abolish the activity centres if elected, favoring local council control instead. While both sources agree on major figures like height limits and community feedback, THEAGE adds details on broader suburb inclusion and political opposition, while ABC provides granular map-specific adjustments and pilot zone context.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Victorian government finalized planning controls for 25 of 60 ‘activity centres’ around transport hubs in Melbourne, including Coburg, Brunswick, Brighton, Hawthorn, Oakleigh, and Kew Junction.
- Parts of Brunswick and Coburg’s activity centres will allow buildings up to 20 storeys, an increase from the previously proposed 16 storeys in draft plans.
- Height limits in Middle Brighton, Oakleigh, and Kew Junction have been reduced or adjusted—e.g., Oakleigh’s Eaton Mall area now capped at 6 storeys (down from 12), and Kew Junction’s High Street areas limited to 8–10 storeys (down from 12).
- The government received feedback from over 12,500 Victorians, which shaped final plans including height limits and greener streetscapes.
- Buildings in ‘core’ train/tram zones meeting planning rules are ‘deemed to comply,’ bypassing VCAT and council approval delays.
- Premier Jacinta Allan and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny claim the reforms will unlock capacity for over 300,000 homes by 2051, though a Grattan Institute report suggests only ~110,000 are financially feasible under current conditions.
- Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has vowed to scrap the activity centres if elected, promising to return planning powers to local councils and focus density on council-owned land.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The ABC explicitly states 10 pilot zones were finalized last year, with consultation ongoing for 23 proposed train/tram zones.
- ABC includes detailed descriptions of finalized planning maps for Brunswick, Coburg, Oakleigh, and Kew Junction with visual references (e.g., ‘dark pink’ zones for height limits).
- ABC notes that height limits in Middle Brighton are up to 12 storeys on selected sites (darker pink), with most areas zoned at 6–8 storeys.
- THEAGE mentions 35 of 60 targeted precincts’ planning controls are now finalized and expected to take effect within months.
- THEAGE highlights that activity centres include middle-ring suburbs like Carnegie, inner-east suburbs (Hawthorn, Glenferrie, Kew), and bayside suburb Hampton, with consultation ongoing for these areas.
- THEAGE references a backlash in Brighton led by local Liberal MP James Newbury, including rallies opposing the state’s plans.
- THEAGE quotes Premier Jacinta Allan’s statement: ‘For years, some of Melbourne’s best-connected suburbs have been locked up, and it’s pushing young people and families out.’
- THEAGE notes the government’s activity centres program is a cornerstone of the Allan government’s housing policy, with core areas near transport hubs allowing heights up to 50 storeys in proposed Suburban Rail Loop hubs like Box Hill.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- THEAGE states 35 of 60 precincts’ planning controls are finalized and expected to take effect within months, while ABC only mentions 25 activity centres finalized with no timeline for the remaining 35.
- THEAGE claims the government’s activity centres will unlock capacity for over 300,000 homes by 2051, but ABC does not dispute this figure—only the Grattan Institute’s report (cited in THEAGE) suggests only ~110,000 are financially feasible.
- ABC does not mention the inclusion of Carnegie, Glenferrie, or Hampton in the activity centres, which THEAGE explicitly lists as part of the program.
- THEAGE highlights a backlash in Brighton led by Liberal MP James Newbury, including rallies, while ABC does not reference this opposition detail.
- THEAGE states the government’s activity centres are a cornerstone of the Allan government’s housing policy, while ABC frames it as a ‘plan to increase housing density’ without emphasizing its policy significance.
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