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Key Planning Changes

What are the Government’s Plans for Boroondara?

1. Eight Government imposed Activity Centres from Kew to Ashburton

  • Apartments up to 6 storeys across large neighbourhood catchments within a 10 minute walk of eight designated train station and tram shopping strips (“cores”) rezoned for higher density development, including heritage streets.
  • Apartment towers of up to 16+ storeys permitted in the eight cores.
  • Development transitions from high-rise towers in activity centre cores to 4–6 storey apartments in inner catchments and 3–4 storey apartments and 3–storey townhouses in outer catchments.

2. Permitted in any residential street – Taller townhouses & apartment developments

  • If the Minister for Planning approves a “Great Design” proposal, existing height & setback controls can be exceeded. There is no right to object or appeal to VCAT.
  • Under fast-track pathways, the Minister for Planning can vary planning rules for projects offering 10% affordable housing (in cash or dwellings). There is no right to object or appeal to VCAT.

3. Permitted within any General Residential Zone (GRZ) located within 800m of a train station

  • Generic, pre-approved apartment designs of up to 3 storeys may be permitted. There is no right to object or appeal to VCAT.

4. Lower building standards for townhouses & apartments up to 6 storeys

  • Homes built much closer together, less privacy, increased overshadowing, reduced tree canopy, landscaping and private open space, heritage loss, hotter streets, increased on-street parking, and less overall liveability.

5. No right to object or appeal to VCAT

  • If townhouse or apartment developments meet the new codes, Council is required to approve them.
  • Residents lose traditional objection and review rights at VCAT.

6. Other significant changes

  • Minimal certainty regarding funding for new infrastructure and upgrades.
  • 65,500 new homes proposed in Boroondara by 2051 – representing a 90% increase in population.
  • Boroondara Council’s plans for more housing overridden by state-led reforms.
  • Loss of heritage.
  • Planning permits may be issued in breach of restrictive covenants.

Crucially these changes are not a solution to the housing crisis.

Looking for more detail? Explore the Government Plans, Concerns, and Resources sections for further information about how the reforms work and the issues they raise.