Council has endorsed a submission to the Victorian Government on the first phase of consultation for their expanded Activity Centres Program.
The expanded program seeks to review existing planning controls in the core of each activity centre and within a 10-minute (approximately 800 metre) walkable catchment area surrounding the core, with the intention of enabling the delivery of more homes around jobs, services and public transport.
Four key precincts in Bayside have been identified by the Victorian Government for future housing growth and renewal as part of the expanded Activity Centre Program. This includes:
- North Brighton Station (Bay Street),
- Middle Brighton Station (Church Street)
- Hampton Station (Hampton Street),
- Sandringham Station (Sandringham Village).
The Victorian Government consulted on the expansion of the Activity Centres Program over May and June. Council also undertook our own consultation via our Have Your Say platform during this time.
The key issues outlined in the Activity Centres Program submission include the:
- Lack of collaboration, meaningful engagement and transparency that has occurred in the process
- Planning controls being applied to land outside of the existing Activity Centres
- Impact on infrastructure and open space and the need for clarity around the cost and funding mechanism for upgrades or new infrastructure
- Need for consideration of the character of our Activity Centres
- Impact on conserving and enhancing heritage as Council supports the retention of Heritage Overlays.
- Impact of increased density and building heights
- Impact on transport and traffic including parking, public transport and active transport
- Need for guaranteeing the delivery of affordable housing as well as housing mix
- Prioritising the retention and growth of employment opportunities alongside the increase in housing
- Protection canopy trees and response to potential environmental risks, including contaminated land and flood risk.
The Victorian Government will undertake a second phase of consultation in the second half of this year.
We expect the new planning controls will be place in early 2026.
