Ten Melbourne Suburbs Selected for Accelerated Planning

Posted By Chris Nicholson

Building heights are set to increase significantly, with approval times expected to shorten to 12 months in ten locations under a new fast-track housing initiative by the Victorian Government.

The targeted areas include Broadmeadows, Camberwell Junction, Chadstone, Epping, Frankston, Moorabbin, Niddrie (Keilor Road), North Essendon, Preston (High Street), and Ringwood.

The new building heights will range from 8 to 17 storeys across these regions.

In all ten designated areas, residential buildings of three to six storeys will be permitted within a 10-minute walk of shops and public transport.

This pilot program aims to streamline the typically lengthy and complex planning process in key activity centres, reducing it from up to five years in some cases to approximately 12 months.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan stated their goal to add 60,000 new homes to these areas by 2051.

"Victorians are looking for more quality housing close to jobs, transport, and the communities they know," Allan said.

"Busy, well-connected areas like Camberwell should be accessible, not restricted."

Patrick Fensham, President of the Planning Institute Australia (PIA) in Victoria, expressed support for the streamlined program but emphasized the need for more consideration of green spaces and affordability.

"Clarity on these 'liveability targets' and the funding mechanisms for them and other necessary infrastructure upgrades is still lacking," Fensham said.

"PIA Victoria has concerns about the current approach to social and affordable housing and notes that land assembly issues remain unresolved. The social acceptance of higher-density development depends on proving that these activity centres will become high-quality, liveable precincts."

Draft plans for each activity centre were released on August 22 and will be open for public feedback until the end of September.

Activity Centres Pilot Program Locations

Broadmeadows Activity Centre
Vision: A vibrant, multicultural community hub
Potential: 3,000 to 4,000 homes
Location: West of the train line around Broadmeadows Town Park
Height limit: Up to 12 storeys
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential

Camberwell Junction Activity Centre
Vision: A destination for shopping, dining, and cafe culture
Potential: 7,500 to 10,100 new homes
Location: South of Camberwell Station and along Burke Road, Riversdale Road, and Camberwell Road
Height limit: 4 to 12 storeys
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential

Chadstone Activity Centre
Vision: A vibrant community around Victoria’s leading shopping destination
Potential: 6,500 to 8,000 new homes
Location: Around Chadstone Shopping Centre and along the future transport link between Caulfield and Rowville
Height limit: 12 storeys at the shopping centre and up to 6 storeys elsewhere
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential

Epping Activity Centre
Vision: A hub for health, education, and community services
Potential: 9,800 to 13,900 new homes
Location: Around Epping Station, including New Epping Local Centre and out to Darebin Creek
Height limit: 3 to 8 storeys
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential

Frankston Activity Centre
Vision: A destination for shopping, dining, arts, and bayside living
Potential: 4,000 to 6,300 new homes
Location: Between the rail line and beach, and around Cranbourne Road
Height limit: 3 to 16 storeys
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential

Moorabbin Activity Centre
Vision: A green, connected, and family-friendly community
Potential: 5,000 to 6,800 new homes
Location: Around Moorabbin Station, along South Road to Moorabbin Reserve, and south to Curly Rourke Reserve
Height limit: 17 to 40 meters (approximately 5 to 12 storeys)
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential

Niddrie [Keilor Road] Activity Centre
Vision: A charming, walkable hub for shops and services
Potential: 3,400 to 3,900 new homes
Location: Immediately around Keilor Road
Height limit: 6 to 10 storeys
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential

North Essendon Activity Centre
Vision: A charming, walkable hub for shops and services
Potential: 11,800 to 15,300 new homes
Location: Around Mt Alexander Road to Allison Park and Lincoln Park
Height limit: 5 to 12 storeys
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential

Preston [High Street] Activity Centre
Vision: A destination for multicultural cafes, restaurants, and fresh produce
Potential: 11,800 to 15,300 new homes
Location: Along High Street and west along Murray Road and Bell Street
Height limit: 4 to 10 storeys
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential

Ringwood Activity Centre
Vision: A leafy green center for shops, dining, and services
Potential: 8,200 to 12,200 new homes
Location: North of Ringwood Station
Height limit: 4 to 15 storeys
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential