The Elsternwick Structure Plan 2023 sets out the long-term vision for the vibrant commercial strip in Elsternwick.
Elsternwick Structure Plan
Elsternwick Structure Plan
We have developed the Elsternwick Structure Plan 2023 to help guide growth in suitable areas and ensure any growth contributes to our high-quality streets, public open spaces, heritage character and amenity.
Key elements
The Plan guides the future growth of the Centre, such as:
- development and future land use
- transport and parking
- types and heights of buildings
- employment
- open spaces
- infrastructure
- heritage and character.
Local and State Governments can use structure plans to make decisions about developments, investments and infrastructure improvements. Structure plans can also inform community members and developers about what change is expected and allowed in certain areas.
Current status Council adopted the final Elsternwick Structure Plan 2023 on 15 August 2023. Officers then prepared planning controls to implement the objectives of the Elsternwick Structure Plan. The controls were presented to Council on 28 November 2023 and received endorsement to seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare Planning Scheme Amendment C256.
In September 2024, the Minister for Planning authorised Council to proceed with Amendment C256 to the Glen Eira Planning Scheme. This amendment is essential to implement the vision and objectives of the Elsternwick Structure Plan.
Planning Scheme Amendment C256 was exhibited for public feedback over a six-week period from 13 February to 28 March. During this time, submissions were made on the proposed changes.
For information on Amendment C256, visit www.haveyoursaygleneira.com.au/amendmentc256
What happens next?
A Planning Scheme Amendment can go through many stages as follows:
| Step 1: Authorisation | We’ll seek authorisation from the Minister for planning to prepare an amendment. The Minister authorises the amendment. |
| Step 2: Exhibition | Official notice of the amendment is sent to relevant parties, and you can have your say through a written ‘submission’. |
| Step 3: Consider submissions (we are here) | We’ll consider the submissions. Using this feedback, we’ll choose to abandon, change or refer the amendment to an independent planning panel. |
| Step 4: Planning panel hearing | If the amendment is referred to a planning panel and if you lodged a submission during step 2, you can request to be heard at the panel hearing. Your submission would be referred to the panel regardless. |
| Step 5: Consider panel report | We'll consider the panel report and may make changes to the amendment, adopt it as recommended by the panel or abandon the amendment. |
| Step 6: Approval | If we change or adopt the amendment, it’s referred to the Minister for Planning for approval. It’s then gazetted and is incorporated into the Planning Scheme.Interim planning controls |
Interim planning controls
While the process to introduce permanent planning controls for Elsternwick is underway via Amendment C256, we have interim controls in place to manage development. The Department of Transport and Planning has provided written confirmation that the interim Design and Development Overlay 10 (DDO10) in the Elsternwick Major Activity Centre (MAC) has been extended to 31 December 2025. There are also interim DDOs in the Carnegie and Bentleigh MACs which have been extended until 30 April 2025.
These interim DDOs provide ongoing height and setback controls for the Commercial and Mixed Use Zones in the three centres. The controls in Carnegie and Bentleigh are mandatory and in Elsternwick, they are discretionary. The interim DDOs have been in place since 2018 and extended a number of times. They were extended last year because Council was able to demonstrate progress with our strategic planning work; in particular, the adoption of the Housing Strategy and preparation of the new structure plans.
You can find the interim Elsternwick Design and Development Overlay in the Glen Eira Planning Scheme.
