Victoria plans to fast-track high density housing – and wants to know where to build  

The state is inviting communities to have their say on where new homes should be built around some of Melbourne’s busiest public transport corridors.  

The initial round of consultation is now open for the Victorian government’s Train and Tram Zones, which will inform draft planning controls for where new homes should go around each of the first 25 zones.  

By consulting with councils and communities, the state government hopes the new planning controls will encourage more homes around well-connected suburbs in Melbourne.  

The zones are part of Victoria’s larger Activity Centres Program, which aims to enable the capacity to build over 300,000 new homes in 50 areas close to public transport, jobs and services by 2051.  

The first 25 zones were announced in October 2024 and the remaining in February 2025 – with the aim of building higher residential buildings near stations or train corridors and scaled low-rise apartments and townhouses in “walkable” surrounding catchments, up to 800 metres near the stations. 

When the program was announced in 2024, Premier Jacinta Allan said the locations were chosen based on transport capacity, access to jobs and services, and environmental considerations. 

“It makes sense to allow more homes and height near public transport hubs – where else is better suited for it?,” Ms Allan said. 

“We’ve invested in public transport – building the Metro Tunnel, removing level crossings, adding more services and opening new stations – and now we’re ready to build the homes around it.”  

According to the state government, the program will streamline planning processes that currently take up to five years down to 12 months.  

It also hopes to introduce the new planning controls progressively through the program, with the aim to have the process done for all 50 centres by 2026.  

“This is about working with communities to ensure more Victorians have the opportunity to live close to public transport, their loved ones, and the things that matter to them,” Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said. 

The first 25 zones out for consultation sit along key public transport routes including the:

• Cranbourne/Pakenham lines that will use the new Metro Tunnel: Carnegie, Hughesdale, Murrumbeena, Oakleigh, Middle Footscray, West Footscray, and Tottenham stations 

• Belgrave/Lilydale Line: Hawthorn, Glenferrie, and Auburn stations 

• Sandringham Line: North Brighton, Middle Brighton, Hampton, and Sandringham stations 

• Glen Waverley Line: Tooronga, Darling, Gardiner/Glen Iris, East Malvern and Holmesglen stations 

• Upfield Line: Brunswick and Coburg stations 

• Hurstbridge Line: Heidelberg Station

• Tram corridors in Darebin: High St, Thornbury and on St Georges Rd in the area near Beaconsfield Pde 

• Tram corridor in Boroondara: Kew Junction in the precinct served by the 109 and 48 trams. 

Starting now until June 2025, consultation will happen through drop-in sessions, online forums and community reference groups.  

Consultation on the remaining centres is set to occur later this year.  

Are you interested in buying and building new? Check out our New Homes section.  

The post Victoria plans to fast-track high density housing – and wants to know where to build   appeared first on realestate.com.au.