The State Government has released Stage 2 draft plans for its Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres program, proposing increased building heights and densities across Melbourne including key areas of Stonnington.
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.
The proposals for these areas include buildings up to 16 storeys in Activity Centre Cores and 3-6 storeys in wider residential catchments, stretching up to 900 metres from train and tram stations.
Council supports good growth, but it must be planned carefully to protect neighbourhood character, heritage, and liveability.
Have your say
Council encourages residents, landowners and community members to review the draft maps and provide feedback.
View the draft maps for proposed Activity Centres in Stonnington:
- Hawksburn to Malvern and Toorak Village draft maps
- South Yarra to Windsor draft maps
Have your say about the draft maps
Submissions close Sunday 22 March 2026.
Council has already done the strategic work
Stonnington has undertaken strategic planning to balance housing growth with local values. Council's Neighbourhood Activity Centres Framework and Housing Strategy show it is possible to deliver more than 67,000 new dwellings by 2051, exceeding the State Government's target of 50,000 homes - all while respecting local character and ensuring adequate infrastructure.
Events to help you understand the proposals
You might be wondering - what even is an Activity Centre and what might these changes mean in my neighbourhood? Planning policy can be complex to understand, especially for a proposal on this scale - so our team is here to help break things down and explain how it'll impact you on a local level.
Stonnington is hosting several sessions to explain what these changes could mean and how Council's own planning work provides a framework for growth:
Webinar: Thursday 5 March - register via Connect Stonnington (if you can't make it along, it will be recorded so you can watch in your own time).
Drop-in Sessions: Wednesday 11 March, 10am-12pm & 4pm-6pm at Toorak Park Pavilion
These sessions will help residents, traders, and landowners understand both the State Government's proposed changes and the Council's vision for well-planned growth.
