Victoria confirms new planning rules for homes near Melbourne’s train and tram hubs

Final planning controls have been confirmed for Melbourne suburbs near major train and tram routes, outlining where higher‑density homes can be built close to public transport.

The Victorian Government has released the final planning controls for 25 train and tram activity centres across Melbourne’s inner and middle suburbs, following extensive public consultation.

The zones are part of selected activity centres planned across the city, which together aim to enable more than 300,000 new homes close to transport, jobs and services by 2051.

Draft boundaries for the initial 25 zones were released in September 2025 and were open for public consultation until October.

The state has released the final planning controls for the first set of activity centres. Picture: Getty

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Consultation is currently underway for draft boundaries covering a further 23 zones, while work continues on two inner‑Melbourne train and tram zones within the City of Melbourne and City of Yarra council areas.

The final planning controls for the first 25 zones cover some of Melbourne’s busiest transport corridors and incorporate feedback from more than 12,500 Victorians, according to the state government. Submissions focused on issues including building heights, greener streets and infrastructure planning.

The 25 activity centres are spread across major train lines and tram corridors:

• Seven along the Metro Tunnel corridor: Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Hughesdale, Oakleigh, Middle Footscray, West Footscray and Tottenham stations
• Six along the Glen Waverley line: Tooronga, Darling, East Malvern, Holmesglen, Gardiner and Glen Iris stations
• Four along the Sandringham line: North Brighton, Middle Brighton, Hampton and Sandringham stations
• Three along the Belgrave and Lilydale lines: Hawthorn, Glenferrie and Auburn stations
• Two along the Upfield line: Brunswick and Coburg stations
• One along the Hurstbridge line: Heidelberg station
• Three along major tram corridors: St Georges Road (Thornbury), High Street (Thornbury) and Kew Junction

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the reforms were aimed at unlocking housing supply in well‑serviced suburbs.

“For years, some of Melbourne’s best‑connected suburbs have been locked up and it’s pushing young people and families out,” Ms Allan said.

“We’re changing that.”

Victorian planning minister Sonya Kilkenny said the changes were designed to encourage more homes near essential services.

“We want more Victorians to live in places that have great trains, trams, schools and jobs nearby – that’s why we’re making it easier to get more homes built.”

What can be built under the new controls

As with other activity centres, the planning controls divide each zone into ‘core’ and ‘catchment’ areas.

Core areas allow for higher‑density development, with building heights ranging from six to 20 storeys depending on the location.

Developments that meet the planning rules in these core areas will be deemed to comply, meaning they cannot be appealed to VCAT, significantly speeding up approvals.

Surrounding catchment areas have lower height limits and are intended to support townhouses and low‑rise apartment buildings. Inner catchments will generally allow up to four storeys, or six storeys on larger blocks, while outer catchments will allow up to three storeys, or four on larger sites.

For example, in Melbourne’s inner‑north, parts of Brunswick’s activity centre core now allow buildings of up to 20 storeys under the final controls.

The increased height limits apply to sections along the Sydney Road corridor and around Brunswick and Jewell stations, reflecting the area’s strong public transport access.

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