Council responds to Victorian Government’s Activity Centres Program — Stage One Phase Two

Council responds to Victorian Government’s Activity Centres Program — Stage One Phase Two

Council has lodged its submission in response to the Victorian Government’s Activity Centres Program — Stage One Phase Two: Sharing Our Draft Maps.

The draft maps released by the Victorian Government identifies the core and residential catchment area boundaries and associated building heights for the activity centres of Carnegie, Murrumbeena and Hughesdale. However, limited information has been provided to explain how future development in these centres will be managed.

At our Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 16 October, Council endorsed the preparation of a submission guided by the following principles:

1. Concerns with the draft plans

• Lack of clarity on planning controls: no specific ordinances have been provided to explain how the draft plans will be implemented.
• Insufficient technical evidence: key reports justifying proposed heights, boundaries and mapping decisions have not been made public.
• Unclear infrastructure funding: there is no detail on how supporting infrastructure will be delivered or funded.
• Deemed-to-comply approach: Council does not support the proposed automatic approval process for development within core and catchment areas.
• Excessive building heights: proposed heights, particularly in outer core areas are considered incompatible with surrounding character.
• Boundary impacts: proposed catchment boundaries may affect heritage overlays and neighbourhood character.
• Development impacts: broader concerns remain about the cumulative impact of increased development.
• Carnegie Structure Plan: there is no explanation of how this existing plan will be integrated into new planning controls.
  

2. Community involvement

Council does not support the removal of third-party notice and review rights. We believe community participation remains a vital part of the planning process across Glen Eira.

3. Concerns with the engagement process

• Need for early engagement: Council would have welcomed the opportunity to provide input prior to the release of the draft maps.
• Timing of consultation: the engagement period coincided with school holidays and religious observances, which may have limited community participation.
• Rushed process: the timeframe for consultation does not reflect the scale and significance of the proposed changes.

If you would like to read Council’s full public submission and Council report, visit:

• Ordinary Council Meeting, Thursday 16 October
• Carnegie Structure Plan - Glen Eira City Council | Glen Eira City Council
• Carnegie Structure Plan 2022 - Amendment C237
• Council's submission to the Active Centre Program