Ten Melbourne Suburbs Targeted in Planning Fast-Track

Building heights will double and approval times are expected to drop to 12 months in 10 locations through a new Victorian Government fast-track housing program.

The suburbs in the crosshairs were Broadmeadows, Camberwell Junction, Chadstone, Epping, Frankston, Moorabbin, Niddrie [Keilor Road], North Essendon, Preston [High Street], and Ringwood. 

The new heights varied from 8 to 17 storeys in each region.

Surrounding all 10 hotspots, residential developments of three to six storeys would be allowed within a 10-minute walk of shops and transport.

The pilot program aimed to stop the “long and complicated structure planning in the activity centres”, fast-tracking the process from up to five years in some cases, down to around 12 months.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said they wanted to add 60,000 more homes to these areas by 2051.

“Victorians want more quality homes in areas close to jobs, close to transport, and close to where they grew up,” Allan said.

“Busy areas with heaps of transport options like Camberwell shouldn’t be locked up, they should be opened up.”

Planning Institute Australia state president Patrick Fensham said that although they supported the streamlined program, more thought needed to be given to green space and affordability. 

“Certainty around these associated ‘liveability targets’ and, importantly, the mechanisms to fund them and other required infrastructure upgrades remains missing,” Fensham said.

“PIA Victoria has concerns about the proposed approach to social and affordable housing provision and highlights that the issue of land assembly remains unresolved.

“The social licence for higher-density development relies on demonstrating that these activity centre locations will be high-quality liveable precincts in future.”

The draft plans for each activity centre were released on August 22 and would be open to feedback until the end of September.

Activity centres pilot program locations

Broadmeadows Activity Centre
Vision: A vibrant and multicultural community hub
Potential: 3000 to 4000 homes
Location: West of the train line around Broadmeadows Town Park
Height limit: 12 storeys
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential

Camberwell Junction Activity Centre
Vision: A destination for shopping, dining and cafe culture
Potential:  7500 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 top shopping destination
Potential:  6500 to 8000 new homes
Location: Around Chadstone Shopping Centre and along the future transport connection between Caulfield and Rowville
Height limit: 12 storeys on 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: 9800 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 lifestyle
Potential:  4000 to 6300 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 metres to 40 metres [five 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: 3400 to 3900 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 centre for shops, dining and services
Potential: 8200 to 12,200 new homes
Location: North of Ringwood station
Height limit: 4 to 15 storeys
Wider catchment area: 3 to 6 storeys residential