All Activity Centres
25 March 2025 – Consultation … what consultation?
Is the State Government really interested in the views of residents regarding activity centres and other major projects?
Read the article in The Age [paywall] about ‘Gaslighting and manipulation’.
18 March 2025 – Melbourne’s tree canopy
The State Government has set a goal for 30 per cent tree canopy cover in urban areas but this is incompatible with moves to significantly increase housing density in many areas across Melbourne.
Read the article in The Age [paywall] about Melbourne’s tree canopy.
27 February 2025 – More activity centres revealed
The next 25 “activity centres” in Melbourne to be targeted as part of the state government’s development of hundreds of thousands of homes have been revealed.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced on Thursday the last of the hubs, naming inner suburbs South Yarra and Prahran, inner-northern communities such as Brunswick and Thornbury, and outer suburbs like Dandenong.’
Read the article in The Age [paywall] about these activity centres.
27 February 2025 – Victorian DTP – “Finalising our plans for the first 10 activity centres”
Read the Department of Transport and Planning’s update on their Activity Centres Program.
27 February 2025 – Victorian Premier’s announcement on more homes
Read Jacinta Allan’s announcement More Homes To Come Near Transport, Jobs And Services.
27 February 2025 – Toastie or s#%t sandwich?
‘This is one of the reasons planning expert Buxton is frustrated with the government. He says the promise that heritage protections won’t change is false and the government’s message is deceptive. “The new zone’s density purposes are inconsistent with and will override the heritage protection measures in the heritage overlay,” he says.’
Read the article in The Age [paywall] about the State Government’s new Housing Choice and Transport Zone (HCTZ) planning rules.
15 December 2024 – Planning Democracy Convenor’s Report No. 46 & Charter 29 Report
PDC’s Report No. 46 pp. 1-2. Read here (scroll the window) or download (see below).
Charter 29 Report and Appendices. Read here (scroll the window) or download (see below).
9 December 2024 – Bayside Forum on Victorian Planning Reforms
Bayside City Council are holding a Community Forum on the Victorian Government’s proposed planning reforms.
The forum will be held on 18 December 2024, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, at Sandy By the Bay, Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham.
“Come along to hear from a range of experts on the Victorian Government’s planning reforms.
The Victorian Government is proposing greater building heights and planning control changes in Brighton, Hampton, Sandringham, Hampton East, Brighton East, Highett, Cheltenham and Pennydale which could impact you and your community.
We are bringing together a range of experts to provide an update on the proposed changes which could allow up to six storey development in parts of Bayside that currently have a two storey maximum height limit.
You are invited to join us to hear about the planning changes proposed by the Victorian Government, ask questions and find out how you can get involved.
Council is advocating on behalf of our community to ensure Bayside continues to be the place we love.
Panelists include:
- Matthew Cripps, Bayside Director of City Planning and Amenity
- Jim Holdsworth, Urban Design and Planning Consultant, Director of Planning Collaborative
- Mike Scott – founding Director of Melbourne-based planning, design and engagement consultancy Ethos Urban
- Terry Montebello, Partner Maddocks specialising in planning, environment and local government.”
Read more and registration > Bayside Planning Forum (external website)
4 December 2024 – Melbourne – a “fourth-rate city”?
The ABC reports a leading urban planner is critical of zoning changes planned for Melbourne.
“We’ll lose much of what attracts people to Melbourne and makes Melbourne a liveable city.”
Read more > Leading planner warns planned zoning changes will make Melbourne a ‘fourth-rate city’ (external website)
29 November 2024 – Malvern Planning Forum
Dr Monique Ryan, Independent Member for Kooyong, is hosting a “Community Forum: Housing and Planning” TOMORROW evening, Monday December 2, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, in the Banquet Hall, Malvern Town Hall.
“We will discuss Australia’s current housing and planning challenges and opportunities, and will address the Victorian government’s proposed changes to planning, including the nine designated Activity Zones in the electorate of Kooyong.”
Read more and registration > Malvern Planning Forum (external website)
29 November 2024 – Brighton Planning Forum
This Community Forum will be hosted by Georgie Crozier, a Member of the Legislative Council and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council.
Proposals for “catchment” areas around activity centres will affect neighbourhoods all across Melbourne.
