Posted 21/2/09

Boundaries for Activity Centres

Go to www.delwp.vic.gov.au  (2015) for information on these matters.

Comments must be received by close of business Wednesday 11 March 2009.

The Victorian Government’s response to the Melbourne 2030 Audit – Planning for all of Melbourne – identified a number of initiatives to ensure that the planning and management of growth in Activity Centres is simpler and more effective. These initiatives include:

• setting boundaries for Activity Centres;
• a new Activity Centre Zones and simple Development Framework; and
• establishing Development Assessment Committees (DACs) to make decisions on planning permit applications at Principal Activity Centres and on matters of state and metropolitan significance.

The Government identified five ‘market ready’ centres where these initiatives would initially be introduced. These centres are Camberwell Junction, Coburg, Doncaster Hill, Central Geelong and Preston (High Street).

The Department of Planning and Community Development has undertaken a review of the appropriateness of boundaries for these five Activity Centres and is now seeking comment and feedback on its proposed boundaries.

What are DPCD’s proposed boundary changes for each of the Activity Centres?

DPCD has worked closely with Councils to examine the need for any potential changes to their adopted structure plan boundaries. DPCDs proposed changes are outlined in the following Information Sheets for each of the five centres.

Information Sheets

Boundaries for Camberwell Junction Principal Activity Centre (PDF - 365 KB)
Boundaries for Camberwell Junction Principal Activity Centre (DOC - 46 KB)

Boundaries for Coburg Principal Activity Centre (PDF - 580 KB)
Boundaries for Coburg Principal Activity Centre (DOC - 46 KB)

Boundaries for Doncaster Hill Principal Activity Centre (PDF - 578 KB)
Boundaries for Doncaster Hill Principal Activity Centre (DOC - 48 KB)

Boundaries for Preston Principal Activity Centre (PDF - 776 KB)
Boundaries for Preston Principal Activity Centre (DOC - 51 KB)

Activity Centre Boundary for Central Geelong (PDF - 311 KB)
Activity Centre Boundary for Central Geelong (DOC - 48 KB)

Why is DPCD reviewing boundaries for Activity Centre?

Many Councils have adopted boundaries for their Activity Centres across metropolitan Melbourne and at key regional centres. However, different approaches have been taken to determine and set these Activity Centre boundaries. Setting Activity Centre boundaries based on a consistent set of criteria will enable controls to be applied more consistently across a range of Activity Centres.

The proposed boundaries developed by DPCD have taken into account Council’s strategic planning work for each of the centres. DPCD has also taken into account criteria developed for the independent Advisory Committee appointed by the Minister for Planning to provide advice on the appropriate boundaries for Camberwell Junction, Coburg, Doncaster Hill, Central Geelong and Preston (High Street). Criteria are included in the Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committee:

Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (DOC - 53 KB)

How will the final boundary be determined?

The Minister for Planning has appointed an independent Advisory Committee to provide advice on the appropriate boundaries for Camberwell Junction, Coburg, Doncaster Hill, Central Geelong and Preston (High Street).

DPCD is exhibiting its proposed boundary changes for each of the five activity centres publicly for a four week period of comment and feedback. All comments received by DPCD will be provided to the independent Advisory Committee for consideration in preparing its advice to the Minister for Planning.

The independent Advisory Committee will provide its final advice to the Minister for Planning by 30 April 2009. Following this advice, the Minister for Planning will decide on the final boundary for the centre.

How can I have a say?

A comment form is available below. Comments must be received by close of business Wednesday 11 March 2009.

Boundaries for Activity Centres Comment Form (DOC - 746 KB)

Comments can be emailed to: activity.centres@dpcd.vic.gov.au

Comments can also be posted to:

Priority Activity Centres Taskforce

Department of Planning and Community Development

GPO Box 2392

Melbourne VIC 3001

What will happen to my comments?

DPCD will provide a full copy of all written comments it receives to the independent Advisory Committee for its consideration and to Council for information.

How can I get further information?

For further information on boundaries for Activity Centres:
Phone: 1300 366 356 (local call cost) or TTY +61 3 9603 8806 (8.30am-5pm Monday-Friday)
Email: activity.centres@dpcd.vic.gov.au