Apartment towers with height limits of between six and sixteen stories are envisioned within the ‘core’ of new train and tram zones as part of plans to deliver more homes close to transport throughout Melbourne.

And gentler density involving low rise apartments and townhouses is envisioned in areas that are within walkable distance of stations.

The Victorian Government has unveiled draft maps for the first 25 or its 50 new Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres.

The zones include:

• Carnegie, Hughesdale, Murrumbeena and Oakleigh on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines
• Middle Footscray, West Footscray, and Tottenham on the Sunbury line
• Hawthorn, Glenferrie, andAuburn on the Belgrave and Lilydale line
• North Brighton, Middle Brighton, Hampton, andSandringham on the Sandringham Line
• Tooronga, Darling, East Malvern, Holmesglen and Gardiner-Glen Iris on the Glen Waverley line
• Brunswick and Coburg on the Upfield line
• Heidelberg on the Hurstbridge Line
• High St, Thornbury and St Georges Road on tram routes 11 and 86
• Kew Junction on tram routes 109 and 48.

The latest announcement comes as the Victorian Government hopes to limit reliance upon urban sprawl and to deliver more homes which are close to transport, amenity and services.

Between now 2051, the government is planning to deliver 300,000 across 60 activity centres across Melbourne.

These include ten pilot centres and 50 train and tram zones.

The latest draft maps show proposed heights and boundaries for the first 25 train and tram zones as listed above.

These will form the bases of detailed community consultation, which will inform the final heights and catchment boundaries for new planning controls.

The draft plans envisage:

• Apartment buildings of with tower height limits ranging from six to sixteen storeys in an immediate ‘core’ adjacent to the train stations and tram corridors.
• Townhouses and apartment complexes of up to four storeys in inner catchment areas representing a five-minute walk from the station – increasing to six stories for blocks which are larger than 1,000 square meters
• Townhouses and apartment complexes of up to three stories in outer catchments representing a ten-minute walk from the station.

In the ‘core’ areas, different heights are envisioned across different zones.

Whilst some zones will have a maximum inner core height limit of six storeys, height limits of up to 16 storeys will apply in other zones.

Development applications which are within specified heights within the core will be ‘deemed to comply’ with planning rules and will be exempt from VCAT review.

Buildings which exceed these heights may still be allowed. However, applications for such buildings will be subject to regular planning process and review.

Within the walkable catchment areas, developers will be supported to deliver buildings to the maximum height should they wish to do so.

However, residents’ rights to information, consultation and appeal will remain. So too will heritage and landscape overlays.

The release of the draft maps follows the first round of community consultation.

Nearly 2,000 people attended in-person or online sessions, and more than 3,000 submissions were received during this round.

Now, the second and more detailed consultation will run across September and October,

This will invite feedback on the draft maps including heights, setbacks and boundaries.

Consultation in respect of all train and tram zones is expected to be finalised by early next year.

In a statement, Victorina Premier Jacinta Allen welcomed the release of the draft maps.

Allen hit out at NIMBYs and the Victorian Opposition whom she said are opposing plans for greater urban infill.

“We’re making this city fairer for workers and families. Too many people are locked out of suburbs where they want to live – and I’m on their side,” Allen said.

“The same old blockers will be out in force lying about what these plans mean. Our train and tram zones are sensible and gentle and they’re all about keeping Melbourne affordable for the next generation.”

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