Melbourne 2030 – planning for

sustainable growth is a 30-year plan

to manage growth and change across

metropolitan Melbourne and the

surrounding region. It emphasises the

city’s interdependence with regional

Victoria, to provide maximum benefit

to the whole State.

Melbourne 2030in summary

In establishing and articulating this visionthrough a set of Principles and nine KeyDirections, Melbourne 2030 provides aframework for governments at all levels torespond to the diverse needs of those wholive and work in and near to Melbourne, andthose who visit.

Melbourne 2030 is a plan for the growthand development of the metropolitan area.An important objective is to ensure thatMelbourne retains the qualities that peopleenjoy about it. Despite a slowdown inpopulation growth, Melbourne will growsubstantially over the next 30 years. It isappropriate to plan for the capacity tocomfortably absorb up to 620,000 extrahouseholds over that time while protectingand enhancing our existing suburbs.

The main thrust is to continue to protect theliveability of the established areas and toincreasingly concentrate major change instrategic redevelopment sites such as activitycentres and underdeveloped land. While a

good supply of land for development will bemaintained in growth areas, over time therewill be a shift away from growth on thefringe of the city.

This will help prevent urban expansion intosurrounding rural land. The trend towardsfewer people in each household willcontinue to support demand for well-locatedapartment lifestyles around activity centres.This will be supported by an expanded andmore attractive public transport system.

Melbourne 2030 focuses primarily on themetropolitan Melbourne urban area and thenearby non-urban areas. However, it alsodeals more broadly with the wider regionwhere, increasingly, development is linked toand affected by metropolitan Melbourne interms of commuting, business andrecreation. Hence, Melbourne 2030 also

Planning for sustainable growth Page 1

considers the area between metropolitanMelbourne and the regional centres ofGeelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and the LatrobeValley.

Economic, social and environmental mattersare integral to Melbourne 2030, but it is notan economic development plan, acommunity development strategy or acomprehensive environmental managementplan. Rather, it gives a high-level overview ofthe directions metropolitan Melbourne isexpected to take. Its clear focus is themanagement of future growth, land use andinfrastructure investment. It will provide avital context for other sectoral plans in areaslike transport and housing.

The main thrust is to continue

to protect the liveability of

the established areas and to

increasingly concentrate

major change in strategic

redevelopment sites

Page 2 Melbourne 2030

The core of Melbourne 2030 is

nine ‘directions’ – or desired

results – whose achievement

over time depends on putting

into effect specific, carefully

framed policies.

D i r e c t i o n2Better management of metropolitangrowthEstablish an urban growth boundary to set clear limitsto metropolitan Melbourne’s outward development(Policy 2.1)

Concentrate urban expansion into growth areas thatare served by high-capacity public transport (Policy 2.2)

Manage the sequence of development in growth areasso that services are available from early in the life ofnew communities (Policy 2.3)

Protect the green wedges of metropolitan Melbournefrom inappropriate development (Policy 2.4)

D i r e c t i o n1A more compact cityBuild up activity centres as a focus for high-qualitydevelopment, activity and living for the wholecommunity (Policy 1.1)

Broaden the base of activity in centres that are currently dominated by shopping to includea wider range of services over longer hours, andrestrict out-of-centre development (Policy 1.2)

Locate a substantial proportion of new housing in orclose to activity centres and other strategicredevelopment sites that offer good access to servicesand transport (Policy 1.3)

Melbourne 2030 in summary

D i r e c t i o n3Networks with the regional citiesPromote the growth of regional cities and key towns on regional transport corridors as partof a networked cities model (Policy 3.1)

Control development in rural areas to protect agriculture and avoid inappropriate ruralresidential development (Policy 3.2)

D i r e c t i o n4A more prosperous cityMaintain access to productive natural resources andan adequate supply of well-located land for energygeneration, infrastructure and industry (Policy 4.1)

Strengthen Central Melbourne’s capital city functionsand its role as the primary business, retail, sport andentertainment hub for the metropolitan area(Policy 4.2)

Further develop the key transport gateways andfreight links and maintain Victoria’s position as thenation’s premier logistics centre (Policy 4.3)

Create opportunities for innovation and theknowledge economy within existing and emergingindustries, research and education (Policy 4.4)

Encourage the continued deployment of broadbandtelecommunications services that are easily accessible(Policy 4.5)

D i r e c t i o n5A great place to bePromote good urban design to make theenvironment more liveable and attractive(Policy 5.1)

Recognise and protect cultural identity,neighbourhood character and sense of place(Policy 5.2)

Improve community safety and encourageneighbourhood design that makes people feelsafe (Policy 5.3)

Protect heritage places and values (Policy 5.4)

Promote excellent neighbourhood design tocreate attractive, walkable and diversecommunities (Policy 5.5)

Improve the quality and distribution of localopen space and ensure long-term protectionof public open space (Policy 5.6)

Planning for sustainable growth Page 3

Page 4 Melbourne 2030

Rectify gaps in the network of metropolitanopen space by creating new parks andensure major open space corridors areprotected and enhanced (Policy 5.7)

Improve the environmental health of the baysand their catchments (Policy 5.8)

Protect coastal and foreshore environments,and improve public access and recreationalfacilities around Port Phillip Bay and WesternPort (Policy 5.9)

Maintain and develop metropolitan Melbourneas a desirable tourist destination (Policy 5.10)

D i r e c t i o n6A fairer cityIncrease the supply of well-located affordablehousing (Policy 6.1)

Plan for a more equitable distribution ofsocial infrastructure (Policy 6.2)

Improve the coordination and timing of theinstallation of services and infrastructure innew development areas (Policy 6.3)

Develop a strong cultural environment andincrease access to arts, recreation and othercultural facilities (Policy 6.4)

D i r e c t i o n7A greener cityEnsure that water resources are managed in asustainable way (Policy 7.1)

Reduce the amount of waste generated andencourage increased reuse and recycling ofwaste materials (Policy 7.2)

Contribute to national and international effortsto reduce energy usage and greenhouse gasemissions (Policy 7.3)

Reduce the impact of stormwater on bays andcatchments (Policy 7.4)

Protect ground water and land resources(Policy 7.5)

Ensure that land-use and transport planningand infrastructure provision contribute toimproved air quality (Policy 7.6)

Protect native habitat and areas of importantbiodiversity through appropriate land-useplanning (Policy 7.7)

Promote the concept of sustainability anddevelop benchmarks to measure progress(Policy 7.8)

Lead by example in environmental management(Policy 7.9)

Melbourne 2030 in summary

D i r e c t i o n5 c o n t i n u e d

D i r e c t i o n9Better planningdecisions, carefulmanagementAchieve better planning decisions (Policy 9.1)

Speed up resolution of appeals (Policy 9.2)

Keep Melbourne 2030 up to date (Policy 9.3)

Develop a strong partnership with localgovernment (Policy 9.4)

Implement Melbourne 2030 in an integratedway that involves the community (Policy 9.5)

Planning for sustainable growth Page 5

D i r e c t i o n8Better transportlinksUpgrade and develop the Principal PublicTransport Network and local public transportservices to connect activity centres and linkMelbourne to the regional cities (Policy 8.1)

Improve the operation of the existing publictransport network with faster, more reliableand efficient on-road and rail publictransport (Policy 8.2)

Plan urban development to make jobs andcommunity services more accessible (Policy 8.3)

Coordinate development of all transportmodes to provide a comprehensive transportsystem (Policy 8.4)

Manage the road system to achieveintegration, choice and balance bydeveloping an efficient and safe network andmaking the most of existing infrastructure(Policy 8.5)

Review transport practices, including design,construction and management, to reduceenvironmental impacts (Policy 8.6)

Give more priority to cycling and walking inplanning urban development and inmanaging our road system andneighbourhoods (Policy 8.7)

Promote the use of sustainable personaltransport options (Policy 8.8)

PORTPHILLIP

BAY

WESTERN PORT

NORTH

0 20 km10

Melbourne 2030 in summary Strategy

Page 6 Melbourne 2030

Figure 1. Strategy elements

Central Activities District

Principal Activity Centre

Major Activity Centre

Specialised Activity Centre

Urban growth boundary

Existing urban area

Growth area

Green wedge

Intermodal freight terminal

Possible sites for intermodalfreight terminals

Major port

Major airport

General aviation airport

General aviation airport until closed

Rail network

Major road network (existingand proposed)

Regional fast rail

Tram and principal bus network (existing and proposed)

Melbourne metropolitan railnetwork

Proposed network extension

Potential network option

Potential new rail station

Principal Public Transport Network

Regional networks

elements

Planning for sustainable growth Page 7

Page 8 Melbourne 2030

Growth across anetwork of activitycentresThe activity centres network comprises theCentral Activities District, 25 nominatedPrincipal Activity Centres, around 79 MajorActivity Centres and 10 Specialised ActivityCentres. These are identified in Melbourne2030 and linked by the Principal PublicTransport Network. The Principal and MajorActivity Centres will be the preferredlocations for future higher-density residentialand mixed-use developments. Priority will begiven initially to structure planning for thecentres of Sunshine, Knox City/Towerpoint,Cranbourne, Doncaster and NarreWarren/Fountain Gate (Policies 1.1 – 1.3).

More Transit CitiesThe number of locations for Transit Citiesprojects has been increased to nine with theidentification of Box Hill, Epping,Broadmeadows and Werribee as locations forinvestigation into potential majorredevelopments. Projects for higher-densitydevelopment and improved public transportaccess are already at various stages ofdevelopment for the five existing

Key initiatives

metropolitan Transit Cities of Frankston,Dandenong, Ringwood, Sydenham andFootscray (Initiative 1.1.3).

New major centresNew Principal or Major Activity Centres areessential to provide hubs for new suburbs.Mernda, in the Plenty Valley growth area, isan example of the newly establisheddirection in design and function. Reviews ofgrowth area plans for other developmentcorridors will identify the need for andlocation of such centres. Possibilities exist, forexample, in Hume, at Donnybrook; inCaroline Springs/Melton, at Ravenhall andRockbank; in Werribee, at Werribee West;and in Pakenham, at Officer (Initiative 2.2.1 –2.2.3).

Improved transport atstand-alone centresStudies will look at ways to improve existingpublic transport services and interchanges at‘stand-alone’ shopping centres – examplesinclude the Frankston line and SouthlandShopping Centre, tram and bus services atAirport West and Highpoint and bus servicesat Chadstone and Doncaster (Initiative 8.1.1).

Melbourne 2030 in summary

As Melbourne 2030 is a statement ofgovernment policy intent only, some of theinitiatives will be subject to the availability ofbudget funding. That is, such initiatives willneed to await assessment and prioritisationthrough normal State budget processes infuture periods. It is not intended that allinitiatives should begin at once, nor that allshould be completed within the five-yeartime frame. Many will lead to follow-onwork. Others may change or be reviewedover the 30-year life of Melbourne 2030.

To put its directions and policies into

practice, Melbourne 2030 proposes many

initiatives. These will involve cooperative

action between government and the

community, and their implementation will

affect everyone living, working in and

visiting metropolitan Melbourne and the

surrounding region.

Urban growthboundaryAn interim urban growth boundary has beenput in place, with immediate effect onplanning decisions. A permanent boundarywill be adopted after public comments areconsidered. In designated growth areas theboundary will be regularly reviewed toprovide for future growth requirements(Initiative 2.1.1).

Protection for greenwedgesTwelve green wedges are designated outsidethe urban growth boundary to protectimportant non-urban uses includingconservation areas, recreation, agriculture,airports, sewage treatment and quarries. Theplanning controls in these areas will beunderpinned by legislation that ensures thelong-term protection of environmentallysignificant areas, natural resource-based usesand rural vistas (Initiatives 2.4.1 – 2.4.4).

Networking withregional citiesA new and interactive relationship isproposed between Melbourne and the majorregional cities and rural areas, in order toview development of the State as a whole.This will help spread economic andpopulation growth more evenly andovercome problems caused by unmanagedurban development (Initiatives 3.1.1 – 3.1.4).

Building on oureconomic strengthsPlanning and other measures will be used tostrengthen key economic activities, protectthe function of Specialised Activity Centres,build the core of metropolitan Melbourne asVictoria’s business and retail heart, andcomplete the integrated development ofJolimont, Docklands, Southbank and themajor knowledge precinct in Carlton/Parkville(Initiatives in policies 1.1, and 4.1 – 4.3).

Strengthening ourport facilitiesThe continued expansion of operations ofthe Ports of Melbourne, Geelong andHastings will be protected. Provision will bemade for corridors for improved rail access,including a new rail link into Webb Dock.Options will be investigated for themovement of freight trains between Hastingsand Dandenong, possibly including theScoresby Corridor, without affectingresidential areas. An environmentalassessment has begun into the feasibility ofdeepening the Port Phillip Bay shippingchannel (Initiatives 4.3.2 – 4.3.4).

Planning for sustainable growth

New strategicdevelopmentsMore than 130 major sites have beenidentified for potential large residentialdevelopments (of more than 100 dwellings)outside activity centres. Councils will beasked to review strategic opportunities forsmaller developments and resolve anyexisting barriers to development (Initiative1.3.2).

Protection of existingsuburbsThe character of established residential areaswill be protected through Rescode, andincreased densities will not be achieved atthe expense of existing amenity. There will bea focus on encouraging a wider range ofhousing types and more affordable housing(Initiatives 1.3.4, 6.1.1, 6.1.2).

Services in the outersuburbsChanges to the way development is plannedand implemented in outer suburban growthareas will ensure that facilities such as roads,bus services, schools, libraries and child carecentres are provided much earlier in thedevelopment cycle (Initiatives 2.3.1, 2.3.2).

Page 9

Page 10 Melbourne 2030

Safeguarding our airportsThere will be protection for flight paths andfuture development options at Melbourne’score airports – Melbourne, Avalon, PointCook and Moorabbin. Essendon Airport(once closed) and the former RAAF Lavertonairbase will be redeveloped for a mix of usesin accordance with the directions ofMelbourne 2030 (Initiatives 4.3.6 – 4.3.9).

A connected cityProvision will be made to ensure that all newmajor subdivisions and developments haveducting laid for broadband services and thattelecommunications infrastructure isupgraded to enable a high degree ofconnectivity (Initiatives 4.5.1, 4.5.2).

Greater energyefficiencyNew rules for energy efficiency in commercialand residential buildings, the shift to publictransport, and increased recycling of non-domestic wastes will make the city lesswasteful of energy, cut greenhouse gasemissions, improve air quality and makeMelbourne a ‘greener city’ (Initiatives inpolicies 7.1 – 7.9).

Better transport linksImproved cross-town bus services and fasterpublic transport will result from identifyingon-road public transport ‘red spots’ –locations where conflicts between cars andpublic transport cause avoidable delays.Developing strategies to address these ‘redspots’ will also help public transport reach itsgoal of 20 per cent share of motorised tripsby 2020 (Initiative 8.2.1).

Better planningdecisionsA series of measures to improve theoperation of the planning system, with betterplanning decisions and faster resolution ofappeals and disputes, will increasecommunity confidence in the planningprocess (Initiatives in policies 9.1 and 9.2).

Major new parks The creation of six major new metropolitanregional parks and four ‘chains of parks’ willextend the existing parks network to balancecurrent gaps in the west, north and south-east of the city. This will include a continuouscoastal trail from Williamstown to Werribee,showcasing a forgotten part of Port PhillipBay (Initiatives 5.7.1, 5.7.2).

A great place to beNew urban design guidelines and a focus oncreating local 'sense of place' will make thecity more attractive and exciting, with centresthat are relevant to their local communityand with high-quality, sustainableenvironments (Initiatives in policy 5.1).

Improved supply ofaffordable housingThe supply of affordable housing throughoutthe metropolitan area will be improvedthrough joint programs with the Urban andRegional Land Corporation, the Office ofHousing, local councils and the not-for-profitsector, to meet the needs of households onlow-to-medium incomes (Initiatives 6.1.2,6.1.6).

A safer city The safety of public places and transportfacilities will be vastly improved through theapplication of design principles, moregrouping of activities, and better planningfor police and emergency services in newcentres (Initiatives 5.3.1 – 5.3.3).

Melbourne 2030 in summary