The State Government has now released draft plans for Stage 2 of its Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres program, proposing increased building heights and density around activity centres across Melbourne.
The draft maps affect eight centres in Stonnington, including South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, Hawksburn, Toorak (also known as Beatty Avenue), Toorak Village (tram), Armadale and Malvern train stations. Building heights of between six and 16 storeys are proposed in activity centre cores near train stations, with three to six storeys proposed in surrounding residential catchments up to 900 metres away.
Council has already done the strategic work to establish height controls for all these centres. These structure plans and strategies were informed by extensive community consultation and democratic processes and are proven to deliver the State Government's 50,000 new homes target for Stonnington.
Mayor of Stonnington, Cr Melina Sehr, said Stonnington is well positioned to engage constructively with the State Government, having recently endorsed its Neighbourhood Activity Centres Framework and Housing Strategy in direct response to the pace of State planning reforms.
"We have done the work. Our strategies are backed by evidence, expert advice and extensive community input," she said.
"They demonstrate that it is entirely possible to plan for meaningful growth while respecting local character, heritage and infrastructure capacity."
Stonnington's plans provide for an additional 67,000 dwellings by 2051. This is well in excess of the State government's target of 50,000 by 2051.
"This is not about resisting change," Cr Sehr said.
"It is about ensuring growth is planned properly, with the right infrastructure, design standards and protections in place from the outset."
Cr Sehr said Council was concerned that it had not been formally briefed on the detail of the proposals prior to their release.
"Council was not formally briefed on the scale and specifics of these proposed changes before they appeared in the media," Cr Sehr said.
"That is not how significant planning reforms that will shape neighbourhoods for generations should be introduced."
Cr Sehr said Council understands the State Government's ambition to deliver more housing close to public transport, but warned that height alone does not guarantee good planning outcomes.
"We are not opposed to housing growth, and we recognise the pressure to deliver more homes in well-located areas," she said.
"But growth needs to be guided. Without clear controls on density and building mass, there is a real risk of oversized, poorly designed developments that undermine neighbourhood character and liveability."
Council will now undertake a detailed assessment of the draft maps against its adopted strategies and will prepare a formal submission to the State Government.
"We want to work with the State Government, but planning should not happen to communities," Cr Sehr said.
"It should be done with them and informed by local knowledge. That is how we get growth right."
Cr Sehr urged Stonnington residents, traders and landowners to review the draft maps and participate in the consultation process.
"I encourage every resident who cares about the future of their neighbourhood to look at what is being proposed and make a submission. Your voice matters, and this is your opportunity to be heard."
How to have your say
View the draft maps and make a submission here.
Consultation closes: Sunday 22 March 2026
Council will provide further information and resources here.
