Victorian government finalizes planning reforms for high-density housing near transport hubs in Melbourne
Consensus Summary
The Victorian government has finalized planning reforms to increase housing density in 25 of 60 activity centres across Melbourne, allowing buildings of up to 20 storeys in select parts of Brunswick and Coburg. The changes, shaped by over 12,500 public submissions, aim to unlock housing capacity near transport hubs and address delays in approvals. Premier Jacinta Allan’s plan, criticized by opposition leader Jess Wilson, seeks to create 300,000 homes by 2051, though experts suggest only about 110,000 may be feasible. Key adjustments include increased height limits in Brunswick and Coburg, while areas like Oakleigh and Kew Junction saw reductions, reflecting community feedback. The reforms streamline approvals for compliant developments, bypassing VCAT reviews, but have sparked local opposition in suburbs like Brighton. The government’s approach contrasts with the Liberals’ proposed return of powers to local councils and scaled-down developments.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Victorian government has finalized planning controls for 25 of 60 activity centres or transport zones across Melbourne, including Brighton, Hawthorn, West Footscray, Heidelberg, Thornbury, Oakleigh, Kew Junction, and Middle Brighton
- The finalized maps allow buildings of up to 20 storeys in select parts of Brunswick and Coburg (Melbourne’s north), with height limits determined based on location and community consultation
- Height limits in the draft plans for Brunswick and Coburg were initially proposed at 16 storeys but increased to 20 storeys in the finalized version
- The government received feedback from over 12,500 Victorians, which directly shaped the final plans, including changes to height limits and greener streetscapes
- The activity centres program aims to create capacity for 300,000 homes by 2051, with buildings meeting planning rules in core zones ‘deemed to comply’ and exempt from VCAT review
- Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has vowed to scrap the government’s activity centre plan if elected, instead proposing scaled-down developments in middle suburbs and returning powers to local councils
- Premier Jacinta Allan stated the reforms will speed up approvals and allow development in Melbourne’s best-connected suburbs where housing growth had slowed
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The finalized maps show planning provisions for buildings of up to 20 stories near Coburg station and Brunswick shopping complex (Barkly Square)
- Height limits in Middle Brighton are up to 12 storeys on selected sites (darker pink), with the area mostly zoned at six to eight storeys
- The draft maps for Oakleigh had proposed height limits of up to 12 storeys around Eaton Mall, which were reduced to six storeys in the finalized version
- The government said height limits were determined based on the location and consultation, with some changes including increased height limits in parts of Brunswick and Coburg while reducing limits in other areas like Oakleigh and Kew Junction
- Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny stated the finalized plans would create housing opportunities for Victorians over 25 years, with gradual change
- The finalized zones surrounding Oakleigh station and Kew Junction show reduced height limits in selected areas, with High Street in Kew Junction reduced from 12 to 8 or 10 storeys
- The finalized maps for Oakleigh, Middle Brighton, and Kew Junction have tweaked some boundaries, but maximum height limits remain between 12 and 16 storeys in most areas
- The activity centres program includes middle-ring suburbs like Carnegie, inner-east suburbs of Hawthorn, Glenferrie, and Kew, and bayside suburb of Hampton
- The government said only about 110,000 of the 300,000 proposed homes are financially feasible under current conditions, according to a recent Grattan Institute report
- The planning controls for 35 of 60 targeted precincts are now finalized and expected to take effect within months
- The government claims the Liberals’ plan to ditch activity centres would see fewer homes being built in Melbourne
- Local Liberal MP James Newbury has led rallies opposing the state’s activity centre plans in Brighton
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states height limits in Middle Brighton are up to 12 storeys on selected sites, while THEAGE does not mention specific height limits for Middle Brighton beyond the general 12-16 storey range
- ABC reports height limits in Oakleigh’s Eaton Mall area were reduced from 12 to 6 storeys, but THEAGE states Oakleigh’s height limits remain between 12 and 16 storeys without specifying reductions
- ABC claims the government’s activity centres aim to create capacity for 300,000 homes by 2051, while THEAGE adds that only 110,000 of these are financially feasible according to Grattan Institute
- ABC states the finalized zones around Kew Junction show height limits reduced to 8 or 10 storeys on High Street, but THEAGE does not specify these reductions
- ABC highlights that the draft maps for Oakleigh had proposed 12-storey limits around Eaton Mall, which were reduced in the finalized version, while THEAGE does not mention this specific change
Source Articles
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