Victorian Government’s Activity Centres Program

The Program proposes to update current planning controls and aims to create 300,000 new homes in these areas by 2051.

The Victorian Government will be the planning authority in developing these activity centre plans. Council will be the planning authority once the new planning controls are in place, this is expected later in 2025.

The Victorian Government’s activity centre plans appear focused on meeting housing targets outlined in the Plan for Victoria, primarily through large-scale application of the new Housing Choice and Transport Zone — as seen in places like Moorabbin and Chadstone.

What this means for Glen Eira

In Glen Eira, nearly every train station is now classified as an activity centre under this Program, including:

• Bentleigh
• Carnegie
• Caulfield
• Elsternwick
• Glen Huntly
• Murrumbeena
• Ormond

Over recent years, Council has worked closely with our community to develop structure plans for our activity centres. These plans capture local community feedback about the future vision, growth, development, open space, heritage protection, and liveability.

Generally, Council’s structure plans did not address residential areas around activity centres; instead, these areas were considered through our Housing Strategy. Our Housing Strategy shows Glen Eira has the capacity to accommodate 55,000 new dwellings. This brings us close to the Victorian Government’s housing target of 63,500.

We have shared our adopted structure plans with the Victorian Government and strongly urged that this work be incorporated into their planning process.

We support good planning that improves housing options while protecting Glen Eira’s unique character and heritage. We will continue to advocate for well-planned development that protects heritage areas, delivers community benefit, and aligns with Glen Eira’s priorities and vision.

Carnegie Structure Plan and Amendment C237

Carnegie is one of Glen Eira’s activity centres — and is now a key focus in the Victorian Government’s planning forms.

In 2022, Council adopted the Carnegie Structure Plan — a 15-year vision to guide local growth and improvement. It outlines a range of recommendations, including building heights, setbacks, and protections for sunlight in key public spaces.

The Amendment C237 proposes to introduce permanent planning controls that reflect the Structure Plan. It went through a full public process, including consultation, exhibition, and review by an independent planning panel.

The panel process was thorough and involved significant input from community members and experts. Council achieved many of its planning objectives through the panel process and accepted the panel’s recommendations.

Council adopted the Amendment over a year ago and has since been awaiting final approval from the Minister for Planning to include these controls in the Glen Eira Planning Scheme.

It is disappointing that the Victorian Government is now preparing an entirely new activity centre plan for Carnegie, despite an existing adopted Structure Plan and Planning Scheme Amendment awaiting approval.

In our recent meetings with the Department of Transport and Planning, we have been advised that Council’s existing work will be used as much as possible. However, the Minister and the Department haven’t been able to give us any details about how Council’s work will be used and how much of it will be carried across to the new activity centre plan.

Have your say

Carnegie, Murrumbeena and Hughesdale are now part of the Victorian Government’s community consultation for the Activity Centres Program, led by Engage Victoria, running through May and June 2025.

It includes two phases:

• Phase one from Tuesday 6 May to Sunday 15 June: opportunity to share your thoughts through online surveys, an online information session, and in-person drop-in events.
• Community Reference Group: a group of local representatives will be formed to review community feedback and help guide the Victorian Government planning team. Meetings will begin mid-2025.
• Phase two (later in 2025): draft plans will be shared for public feedback before being finalised.

For more details and to register, visit the Victorian Government's Activity Centres Program Expansion – Phase 1: Understanding place page or contact the project team on 136 186 or email activity.centres@transport.vic.gov.au

Council has long advocated for more meaningful local involvement in the Victorian Government’s planning process. We encourage our community to get involved now!

If you need further information, contact our City Futures team on 9524 3333 or email CityFutures@gleneira.vic.gov.au