Victorian government finalizes planning reforms for high-density housing near transport hubs in Melbourne
Consensus Summary
The Victorian government has finalized planning reforms to allow high-density housing near transport hubs in Melbourne, targeting 25 of 60 activity centres. Key changes include raising height limits to 20 storeys in parts of Brunswick and Coburgâup from draft proposals of 16âwhile adjusting other zones like Oakleigh and Kew Junction downward. The reforms aim to create capacity for 300,000 homes by 2051, though a Grattan Institute report suggests only about 110,000 may be feasible. Feedback from over 12,500 Victorians shaped the final maps, which streamline approvals for compliant buildings in core zones by deeming them automatically approved. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has pledged to abolish the activity centre plan if elected, favoring local council control instead. Critics, including some local MPs, have protested the stateâs approach, citing concerns over community input and housing affordability. The government frames the changes as addressing housing shortages in well-connected suburbs, while critics argue the reforms could accelerate gentrification and reduce local autonomy.
â 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 Brighton, Hawthorn, West Footscray, Heidelberg, Thornbury, Oakleigh, Middle Brighton, and Kew Junction, to increase housing density near train and tram stops.
- 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 draft plans.
- Height limits in other areas have been adjustedâe.g., Oakleighâs Eaton Mall zone reduced from 12 to 6 storeys, and Kew Junctionâs High Street areas reduced to 8 or 10 storeys from 12.
- The government received feedback from over 12,500 Victorians, which directly informed changes to height limits and planning boundaries in the finalized maps.
- Buildings meeting planning rules in core activity centre zones are âdeemed to comply,â bypassing VCAT reviews and speeding up approvals.
- Premier Jacinta Allan and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny aim to create capacity for 300,000 homes by 2051 through these reforms, targeting middle-ring suburbs with strong transport links.
- Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has vowed to scrap the governmentâs activity centre plan if elected, favoring scaled-down developments and local council control instead.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The draft maps for Coburg and Brunswick initially proposed a maximum height limit of 16 stories, which was increased to 20 in finalized plans for selected sites near Coburg station and Barkly Square (Brunswick).
- Middle Brightonâs height limits are set at up to 12 storeys on selected sites (darker pink), with most areas zoned at 6 to 8 storeys.
- The governmentâs plan contrasts with the Liberal oppositionâs proposal to supercharge high-density development within Melbourneâs CBD and inner suburbs instead of activity centres.
- Sonya Kilkenny stated the changes would create housing opportunities gradually over 25 years, emphasizing no immediate overnight impact.
- The finalized maps show planning provisions for buildings of up to 6 storeys on larger blocks in areas surrounding the core zones.
- The finalized maps for Oakleigh, Middle Brighton, and Kew Junction include tweaked boundaries but maintain maximum height limits between 12 and 16 storeys (excluding Brunswick/Coburgâs 20-storey zones).
- A Grattan Institute report estimates only about 110,000 of the targeted 300,000 homes are financially feasible under current conditions.
- 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.
- The government highlights that core activity centre areas near shops and stations have height limits up to 20 storeys, while districts further away are limited to 3â4 storeys.
- Local opposition rallies, including one in Brighton led by Liberal MP James Newbury, have criticized the stateâs plans.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports the draft maps for Brunswick and Coburg initially proposed 16-storey limits, while THEAGE does not mention this specific draft height for these suburbs.
- ABC states the governmentâs plan targets 300,000 homes by 2051 without qualifying feasibility, whereas THEAGE cites a Grattan Institute report suggesting only 110,000 are financially feasible.
- ABC emphasizes the governmentâs focus on middle-ring suburbs like Brunswick and Coburg for 20-storey towers, while THEAGE highlights broader middle-ring suburbs (e.g., Carnegie, Hampton) with varying height limits (12â16 storeys).
- ABC describes the Liberal oppositionâs alternative as supercharging CBD/inner-suburb density, but THEAGE frames it as favoring council-led, scaled-down developments without specifying CBD focus.
- ABC quotes Premier Allanâs claim that reforms will help millennials get homes faster, while THEAGE does not include this specific quote or emphasis on generational housing access.
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