Melbourne Accelerates Activity Centre Rezoning with 10 New Precincts Announced

Victoria's planning minister has announced ten new activity centres will be rezoned under the state's accelerated housing program, bringing the total number of designated centres to 60 across metropolitan Melbourne.

The new centres include precincts in Frankston, Ringwood East, Niddrie, Preston, and Footscray, each of which will see planning rules relaxed to allow residential towers of up to 20 storeys within 400 metres of their train stations.

The announcement has been welcomed by housing advocates but criticised by several councils, including Boroondara and Whitehorse, which have argued the state government is overriding local planning controls without adequate community consultation.

Boroondara Mayor Sarah Chen said her council would continue to advocate for a stronger heritage overlay to protect low-density neighbourhoods adjacent to the activity centre boundaries.

The state government has committed to investing $120 million in local infrastructure upgrades across the new centres, including parks, community facilities, and active transport connections.