Toorak Village to soar higher as eastern suburbs overhaul revealed

Six storeys have been added to building height limits in Toorak Village in finalised plans that will encourage higher-density development around train stations and busy tram corridors in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny released final planning controls on Friday for 23 activity centres around public transport hubs, after releasing draft plans for community feedback in February.

The train and tram zone plans are a key part of the state Labor government’s housing agenda, with 60 locations in total, which the government says will facilitate 300,000 more homes being built by 2051.

Six locations have had the maximum height limit reduced in the final plans following public consultation: Malvern, Ashburton, Dandenong, Blackburn, Noble Park and Springvale.

Toorak Village, which is on the route 58 tram line, has had the most significant change since the draft plans were released. The maximum height limit for buildings on one block at Toorak Road has been increased to 16 storeys from 10.

South Yarra, Prahran, Hawksburn, Mentone and Nunawading have had maximum height marginally increased or expanded to apply to a greater area.

In each centre, building heights are highest in a “core” around a station or major shopping strips and then step down to lower height limits further away from that centre.

The activity centre program fast-tracks developments in the core that meet height limit and other planning requirements. These “deemed to comply” buildings can bypass local councils and residents cannot challenge them in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Some local councils have been in revolt over moves to strip them of planning powers. Bayside City Council launched court action to obtain legal briefs and advice the planning minister used when approving the amendments.

City of Stonnington chief executive Dale Dickson, whose council covers Toorak Village and several other activity centres in the plans released on Friday, said the council was still analysing the plans.

“It is regrettable that activity centre maps have again been released by the state government without any notice on a busy Friday,” Dickson said.

“Council needs some time to analyse and digest the information provided today, which we are doing as a matter of absolute priority to help our community understand the significant implications.”

Kilkenny said more than 30,000 people had participated in the consultation process, which had led to height limit changes and other improvements in the final plans.

“The status quo is no longer an option, and the train and transit activity centre program is one of the levers that we are pulling … so more Victorians have the opportunity to find a great place to call home,” she said.

YIMBY Melbourne campaigner Jonathan O’Brien said finalising activity centre plans would open the door to developments, particularly in neighbourhoods with high property prices.

“The best thing the government can do is get these things implemented so people know what the rules are and can start making plans to ensure housing gets built near transport and where people want to live,” O’Brien said.

“We shouldn’t expect every singe site to get developed. [But] the broadness of the program is its greatest strength. It opens up a large amount of land across the city in perpetuity.”

The state government also said it had finalised planning controls around the six stations along the $34.5 billion Suburban Rail Loop East. Changes to the final plans include more open space in Cheltenham, and improved pedestrian and cycling links in Monash.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.