Victorian government finalizes planning reforms for 20-storey towers in Melbourne’s activity zones
Consensus Summary
The Victorian government has finalized planning reforms to allow buildings of up to 20 storeys in select parts of Melbourne’s activity zones, including Brunswick and Coburg, increasing height limits from draft proposals of 16 storeys. The changes, shaped by over 12,500 public submissions, aim to boost housing density near transport hubs like train and tram stations, with 25 of 60 activity centres now approved. Core zones near shops and stations offer 'deemed to comply' status for approved developments, bypassing VCAT reviews, while surrounding areas have lower limits. The government targets creating capacity for 300,000 homes by 2051, though critics like the Grattan Institute suggest only about 110,000 may be feasible. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has pledged to scrap the plan if elected, favoring scaled-down developments and local council control. Local resistance, including rallies in Brighton, has also emerged against the state’s high-density push.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Victorian government has finalized planning controls for 25 of 60 activity centres or transport zones, including Brunswick, Coburg, Brighton, Hawthorn, West Footscray, Heidelberg, Thornbury, Oakleigh, and Kew Junction, to increase housing density near transport hubs.
- The finalized maps allow buildings of up to 20 storeys in select parts of Brunswick and Coburg, increasing from the previously proposed 16-storey limit in drafts.
- Height limits in other areas like Middle Brighton (12 storeys) and Oakleigh (reduced from 12 to 6 storeys) have been adjusted based on community consultation.
- 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 core zones near transport hubs offering 'deemed to comply' status for approved developments, bypassing VCAT reviews.
- Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has vowed to scrap the government’s activity centre plan if elected, proposing scaled-down developments in middle suburbs and returning powers to local councils.
- Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny stated the reforms would speed up approvals and allow development in Melbourne’s best-connected suburbs, addressing housing growth slowdowns.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The draft maps for Coburg and Brunswick initially proposed a maximum height limit of 16 storeys, which was increased to 20 storeys in finalized plans for selected sites near Coburg station and Barkly Square (Brunswick).
- The finalized maps show planning provisions for buildings of up to 20 storeys in dark pink zones near Coburg station and Brunswick’s Barkly Square, with height limits reduced in other areas like Oakleigh (Eaton Mall from 12 to 6 storeys) and Kew Junction (High Street from 12 to 8 or 10 storeys).
- Premier Jacinta Allan emphasized the changes would create housing opportunities gradually over 25 years, noting no overnight change would occur.
- The government’s activity centre plan contrasts with the Liberal opposition’s plan to supercharge high-density development within Melbourne’s CBD and inner suburbs instead of activity centres.
- The finalized maps for Oakleigh, Middle Brighton, and Kew Junction have tweaked boundaries but maintain maximum height limits between 12 and 16 storeys, with some areas like Oakleigh’s Eaton Mall reduced to 6 storeys.
- The activity centres program includes middle-ring suburbs like Carnegie, inner-east suburbs (Hawthorn, Glenferrie, Kew), and bayside suburb Hampton, with 35 of 60 precincts now finalized and expected to take effect within months.
- Core areas of activity centres closest to shops and stations have height limits up to 20 storeys, while districts a few streets back are generally limited to 3–4 storeys, with proposed Suburban Rail Loop hubs like Box Hill allowing up to 50 storeys.
- A Grattan Institute report indicates only about 110,000 of the 300,000 planned homes are financially feasible under current conditions.
- Local opposition rallies, including one in Brighton led by Liberal MP James Newbury, have protested the state’s activity centre plans.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the draft maps for Brunswick and Coburg initially proposed 16-storey limits, while THEAGE does not mention this specific draft proposal detail.
- ABC highlights a 20-storey limit increase in selected parts of Brunswick and Coburg, but THEAGE frames this as a general increase from 16 to 20 storeys without specifying 'selected parts'.
- ABC emphasizes the government’s plan to create 300,000 homes by 2051 without questioning feasibility, whereas THEAGE explicitly notes a Grattan Institute report suggesting only 110,000 are financially feasible.
- ABC does not mention the 50-storey limit for Suburban Rail Loop hubs like Box Hill, which THEAGE explicitly includes as part of the activity centres program.
- ABC attributes the opposition’s plan to 'supercharge high-density development within Melbourne’s CBD and inner suburbs,' while THEAGE describes the Liberal plan as 'scaled-down developments in middle suburbs' with local council powers returned.
Source Articles
Density push to allow for 20-storey towers in Melbourne's north
The Victorian government has released its final planning controls for 25 activity centres in Melbourne, with tweaks meaning lower height limits in parts of Kew and Oakleigh and higher heights in parts...
Melbourne’s inner-north set for 20 storey towers in high-rise push
Final maps for 25 of the state’s “activity centres” are set to lock in new building heights and development boundaries across the city....