An expansion of the government's Activity Centre program, the 50 new Activity Centres will encourage more than 300,000 additional homes around Melbourne's high-frequency train lines by 2051.
Locations
The government has announced the first 25 of these centres, located close to stations that will benefit from the Metro Tunnel and the well-serviced Frankston, Sandringham, Lilydale and Glen Waverley Lines. This includes:
- The future Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham Line using the new Metro Tunnel: Carnegie, Hughesdale, Murrumbeena, Oakleigh, Middle Footscray, West Footscray and Tottenham Stations.
- Lilydale Line: Hawthorn, Glenferrie, Auburn, Blackburn, Nunawading and Mitcham Stations.
- Frankston Line: Toorak, Hawksburn, Armadale and Malvern Stations - plus Toorak Village on the Route 58 tram.
- Sandringham Line: North Brighton, Middle Brighton, Hampton and Sandringham Stations.
- Glen Waverley Line: Tooronga Station, Darling Station, plus a combined centre covering both Gardiner and Glen Iris Stations.
The locations for the remaining 25 of 50 'Train and Tram Zone' Activity Centres will be announced in late 2024 with the release of Plan gor Victoria.
The locations of the Activity Centres were recommended by the Department of Transport and Planning based on an analysis of transport capacity, access to jobs and services, and environmental considerations.
Activity Centres will be tailored at a local level, with Government working with local communities and councils to progressively shape and introduce new planning controls.
Both Toorak Village and Middle Footscray are classified as smaller 'neighbourhood' Activity Centres to guide more modest growth.
The first 25 Activity Centres will be delivered in 2 tranches over the next 12 months, with timelines to be communicated clearly.
The process for all 50 new Activity Centres is expected to be complete by 2026.
More about Activity Centres
Activity Centre planning is about building more opportunities and better communities by setting clear expectations for long-term growth, giving the community a say early, and streamlining planning to unblock home building.
Through this program of 50 new Activity Centres, the vision is for taller buildings in the immediate 'core' where the train station and built-up commercial centre is located.
In areas where the train station is very residential, the core could be very small, with more modest height limits compared to larger stations.
In the walkable 'catchments' up to 800 metres surrounding the core, the vision is for gentler, scaled height limits and more low-rise apartments and townhouses alongside existing homes.
The change in these catchments will be sensitive and incremental, occurring over time. An engagement and planning process will ensure it is tailored and appropriate for each community.
This program will not alter the rights of residents in the catchment areas to have their say and to appeal.
Heritage and landscape overlays will stay in place, and how it works in every community will be designed in consultation with locals.
This process will take time and opportunities to have a say will be communicated widely.
Learn more
The 50 new Activity Centres add to the 10 initial Activity Centres, which are located in Broadmeadows, Camberwell, Chadstone, Epping, Frankston, Moorabbin, Niddrie, North Essendon, Preston and Ringwood.
Updated