Council supports increasing housing close to public transport, services and jobs, and recognises that activity centres are appropriate places for growth. However, Council has raised significant concerns about the lack of transparency, limited consultation and impacts on heritage and neighbourhoods under the State Government’s Stage 2 proposals.

Supporting housing in the right places

Council generally supports higher density within activity centre cores, particularly where it aligns with Council‑led Structure Plans shaped by extensive community engagement and expert analysis. These plans already strike a balance between supporting growth and protecting local character.

Key concerns raised by Council

Council’s submission highlights several major issues, including:

• Insufficient consultation and unclear information provided to the community
• Draft maps released without supporting technical evidence or built‑form modelling
• Inconsistent mapping of residential catchments
• Significant impacts on heritage precincts and individual heritage properties
• Reduced opportunities for residents to have a say in planning decisions

Nearly 20,000 properties in Glen Eira could be affected by proposed rezoning under Stage 2.

Protecting heritage and community voice

Council is particularly concerned about applying high‑growth planning controls to areas with existing or proposed heritage protection, which creates conflicting planning outcomes. Council strongly opposes the removal of notice and appeal rights for residents, especially where taller buildings are proposed near established neighbourhoods.

Council’s position

Council has called on the State Government to:

• Improve transparency and release supporting technical information
• Respect Council‑led strategic planning already undertaken
• Reduce and apply catchments consistently
• Address heritage and amenity impacts upfront
• Maintain appropriate community involvement in planning decisions

Council remains committed to working constructively with the State Government to support housing growth — but only where changes are evidence‑based, carefully planned and shaped with the community.

If you would like to read Council’s full public submission endorsed by Council on Tuesday 7 April 2026, visit Submission to the Activity Centres Program Stage 2