I N T R 0 D U C T 10 N

A PLANNING STRATEGY The Strategy is fundamentally about providing certainty

FOR MELBOURNE for residents and businesses. It does this by outlining MELB0URNE'S GROWTH-
the Victorian Government's long-term plans ion where LED TRANSFORMATIONS
The city we enjoy today did not come about by accident. it will develop future infiastructure and transport; and
It has been shaped by the foresight and plannin9 of by providing clarity for residents about where there Before settlement 7 years ago, Aboriginal people
earlier 9enerations. We can see the le9acy of their can be future housing development and employment occupied the land that is now called Melbourne for at
opportunities. least 4 ,ooo years. Since then, Melbourne has undergone
vision in the vibrant places we value and the liveable
communities we participate in every day. a series of growth-led transformations. Each one of these
Plan Melbourne's The Vision /or Melbourne (Figure 31 transformations has left lastin9 1 pacts on the city's
But we cannot plan the city of the future with focuses on seven outcomes that will be achieved over landscape, structure and identity.
yesterday's thinking. As or city grows and develops, the long term. These are supported by a set of strate9ic
we need to plan for, and manage, growth. We must objectives and Directions that clarify the steps that the Melbourne's early structure and character were defined
do so in ways that respond to long-term patterns of government will take to achieve them. during the gold rush of the i 85os, which saw the city's
economic, social and environmental change; that population triple within a decade. That era left the city
enhance Melbourne's liveability; and that capitalise a legacy of ele9 t Victorian buildings, the notable
on opportunities to strengthen our productivity and MELBOURNE WILL BE A GLOBAL CITY OF Hoddle Grid, distinctive boulevards and high streets,
competitiveness. OPPORTUNITY AND CHOICE. civic recreational facilities and expansive inner-city
parks and gardens.
This Strategy is the vision for Melbourne. It is an Thiswfllbeachivedby:
evidence-based plan desi9• ed to guide Melbourne's In the late igth and early moth centuries, Melbourne
• Protecting the suburbs
expanded with the development of mass Oansit train
housing, commercial and industrial development • Developing in defined areas near services and and tram systems. Mechanised transport enabled
through to solo. It seeks to integrate long-term land infrastructure
use, infiastructure and transport planning to meet the Melburnians to escape the crowding and co• 9estion of
• Co eatiztg a cleared aztd eiznpier pTaztztiztg sjrstezn the city centre for the space an* 9 eenery of the suburbs.
population, housing and employment needs of the
with improved decision makin9 Melbourne's distinctive high street shopping strips were
future.
• Rebalancing growth between 2delbourne established at this time.
and regional Victorl r
The next period of major growth came after the Second
• Identifping an investment and infrastructure
World War, as the rise in private car ovmership,
pipeTizze.
investment in road capacity, better access to housing
finance and a shift in manufacturing to the outer fringes
of the city led to Melbourne's geographic expansion and
suburbanisation.

In the past two decades, our city has again undergone a

significant period or growth-driven transformation, this

NOTE time centred on a mix or city-centre regeneration and

outer-suburban development. In this period, the city has
experienced a rapid growth in its residential population,
sıabmustous. A plann ın2 sclaeme aınendnıenı and an uhdaveh nıınıs terta1 dırec non vrı11 be led by the development of housing in Southbank and
Docklands. At the same time, Melbourne's outer suburbs
have become some of the fastest-growing municipalities
in Australia.
TH E VLGA SU P PO RTS T H E
PR I N C I PLE 0 F A PO LYC E NTRIC CITY
LI N KE D TO REG 10 NAL C ITI ES AS A
CO N C E PT TO INT E G RATE LAN D U 5E,
T RA NS PO RT, H 0 USIN G AND E Ill PLOYME NT
P LAN N I N G.

VI CT D RIAK LO CAL G DVER N IN C E ASSO CIATID N

PLAN V EL 3 0U RNE
MELBOURNE TODAY AN EDUCATED, FLEXIBLE AND A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AND VALUABLE
NULTICULTURAL WORKFORCE - In a globalised NATURAL ASSETS - I\/te1bourne's clean air, water
Melbourne is a large metropolis Oi 4 •s million people. economy, there can be no greater asset ion a city than quality, tree coverage and marine and river health
It spans nearly i o,ooo square kilometres and includes 3 the diversity and skills of its population. Melbourne contribute significantly to the city's liveability. From
local government areas l Melbourne is home to nearly has a highly educated and well-Oained worMorce and the mountain ash forests of the Yarra Ranges to the
three-quarters of all Victorians. For the year ended is one of the world's most harmonious and cultmally wetlands on its coastline, Melbourne and its immediate
3o June zoi u, Melbourne had the la 9est population diverse cities. With its people coming from more than surrounds are home to a rich array of iconic natural
growth of any Australian city 177.too people), followed zoo countries, speaki• 9 more th >3° languages and features, productive farmland, animal and plant habitats
by Greater Perth (65,4°°I add Greater Sydney (6I ,3OO). following more than 3 religious faiths, Melbourne is and biodiversity. These assets provide a wealth of
Figure i compares the urban form of Melbourne to well equipped to engage in 9lObal markets. ecological, health and recreational benefits to residents
Sydney and Brisbane. and are cenoal to Melbourne’s attractiveness to overseas
LIKEABLE NEISHBOURHOODS AhID SUBURBS
Melbourne has a labour force of u.3 million people , visitors and investors.
- Melbourne provides a very high quality of life for
with jobs widely distributed across the metropolitan its residents, with good-quality housing, education, THE NATI0N‘S SPORTINS, ARTS AhID
area. In not i , 4 per cent of jobs were located in the transport, community, public safety, health and CULTURAL CAPITAL - /vteIbourne is internationally
CBD, Docklands and Southbank areas . The remainder environmental services provided in most parts of reco9 ised as the one of the world's best sports cities .
were located broadly, includin9 several large and the ciry. Melbourne is a city of suburbs, each with its It is home to an array of world-class sporting and
vibrant suburban Activity Centres, in knowled 9e and own distinctive character. Our suburbs range fiom cultural facilities including the Melbourne Cricket
employment clusters anchored by tertiary education vibrant, higher-density, inner-urban areas that offer Ground, Melbourne Park, National Tennis Centre,
and medical institutions, and in industrial precincts a rich variety of cultural, entertainment and sporting Melbourne Arts Precinct and Melbourne Museum. We
and areas around the city's principal airport and port attractions to low-density, family-friendly suburbs with have created one of the world's most admired calendars
facilities. good access to schools, retail precincts and community of major events, which includes iconic events such the
Melbourne has a range of assets and competitive facilities. Together, they create an accessible and Australian Open, White Night Melbourne, Melbourne
advantages that drive our city's current success and will inclusive city with living options that cater to people at Pashion Festival, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival,
be the foundations or its medium- and long-term future. all life stages. Pormula i T• Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Winter
They include the following. Masterpieces, AFL Grand Final Season, Australian
AN INTEGRATED AND HIGH-CAPACITY
Motorcycle Grand Prix, Australian Masters, Melbourne
A PRODUCTIVE AhID VIBRAhIT CENTRAL TRAhISPORT SYSTEM - /vteJbourne’s transport
Cup Carnival, Melbourne International Comedy
CITY WITH ROOM TO SROW - Melbourne is an system includes modern port, airport, road, rail, cam,
Pestival, Melbourne International Flower and Garden
internationally recognised city with strong global bus and cycling infrastructure. It has an extensive
Show, Royal Melbourne Show and the Boxing Day Test.
business, educational, cultural and sporting connections. freeway and arterial road network. Its rail network
The City of Melbourne has the eighth-fastest population provides good radial access to the Central Ciry and major
growth of all Ausoalian local governments and has seen centres in the suburbs, and the tram system is the largest
the creation of over 8o,ooo new jobs in the last decade. in the world. Melbourne's port is Australia‘s busiest and
One of Melbourne's competitive advantages is the is closely linked to national road and rail networks. Our
amount of land available for redevelopment in strategic two main airports are cmfew-flee and expanding.
Central City locations, with the potential to create well- AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOSNISED
located and attractive mixed-use neighbourhoods.
UNIVERSITY SECTOR — IvteTboume is home to
A DIVERSE INDUSTRY BASE - following the a n ber of world-ranked universities and leading
opening up of the Australian economy to 9 eater educational and research institutions. These include
global competition in the i gNos and 9 0s, Melbourne Melbourne, Monash, La Trobe, Victoria, Deakin, RMlT,
has progressively moved fiom an inwardly-focused and Swinbume universities, Australian Catholic
manufact g economy to a globally-focused, University, Bumet Institute, Walter and Eliza Hall
knowledge-based service economy. Through this Institute, Baker Research Institute and the Australian
transition, Melbourne has diversified its base of Synchrotron. These institutions are fundamental to the
employment -qeneratin9 industries, which have helped city's ability to compete in a global economy, attract
strengthen the resilience of the city's labor market to investment and provide the skills base for future growth
external shocks and structural adjustment pressures. in our knowledge-based industries.
 I N T R 0 D U C T 10 N

FIGURE 1 - URBAN FORN CONPARING F4ELB0URNE, SYDNEY AND BRISBANE

Urbanised Area
M etropolitan Urban Boundary
50k adi

P LA N M E L 30 U R N E
MELB0URNE'S GROWING FIGURE 2 - HISTORICAL AND
PRESSURES MELBOURNE IN 2050 PROJECTED POPULATION 1991-2051
Melbourne will be a very different city in nos Given '?'›J RC E: D E -ARTS E IT 0F TRAI SPORT, PLA N NING
Melbourne's recent population groMh has been AND LO UL : L 'RASTS UCTA BE, 2? 13
profound. Over the past decade, the city has added over <<+ +^P1* 9+°<‹h over the past decade, and projections
6oo,ooo new residents, with almost 6o per cent making of natural population 9 • and migration, it's
POPULATIOLI {MIL LI0NS|
imperative that we plan for a bigger city in the years
their home in the outer suburbs. This rate and pattern 10
ahead. As Figure z shows, Melbourne could grow by
or growth has placed strains on the city's infiastructure
another u.5 million people, to be a city of 6.s million
and service systems and is increasingly responsible for
people by so.
issues, which, if left unchecked, will undermine the
city's liveability and competitiveness over the coming To accommodate this 9 h, we will require over
decades. These are some of the issues. one million more dwellings than we have today. The
CO t4ti ESTIO H - Melbourne's transport infiastructure numbers of all types of households - parents with
0
and services are under increasing pressure, with children, couples without children, single people and
congestion increasing on road and public transport others - will grow, suggesting that Melbourne will
systems during peak periods. need to provide diverse housing options. Because YEARASAT30JUNE
Melbourne‘s population is ageing, the city will also
AFF0R0A8l LITY - As competition for housing
need to become more age-friendly. At the same time, VI?*0R!AREGIONAL \’'CT0 IIA
increases, areas close to the city have become
the school-age population is projected to grow by over
increasingly unaffordable for middle- and low-income
z5o,ooo people.
households wanting to buy or rent. In future, we will
need to provide a better range and supply of affordable To provide work for ovu much larger population,
housing options close to the Central City and other about i.r million new jobs will need to be created in
major areas of employment. Melbourne, with a large share in the Central City and
ACCESS 1 B ILlTY - As the city grows, newer areas on adjacent inner suburbs, if recent trends continue .
the suburban fringe ofien develop before infrastructure Business and knowledge services (including financial
and services are provided. Their distance from and insurance, professional, scientific and technical
the Central City and the more-developed middle services) are forecast to become increasingly important
submbs means that residents can have less access to drivers of Melbourne's prosperity. It is likely that more
employment, services and recreation opportunities than people will stay lon9er in the workforce, with good
those who live closer in. access to jobs and education driving social and economic
participation.
A CHAHt3l H£i CLlMATE - On climate is constantly
changing, due to a wide range of human and natural The lives people live, and the types of jobs they
factors. Over its history, Melbourne has seen frequent do, are affected by changes in science, technology,
busWires, heatwaves, flooding and storms. communications and culture. These changes are both TH ERE ARE I IAN Y AREAS IN

RURAL ENCR0ACHf*IEhIf - As Melbourne develops difficult to predict and happen quickly. The cha• 9es MELBOU RN E'S ESTA B LI 5H E D M I D D LE
and grows, people move further out to find affordable we have seen in how we work and live over the past 4 AND I N N ER RIN GS W H I CH H AVE T H E CAPAC
and enjoyable living options within commuting years show that planning Melbourne's future needs to ITY TO S U BSTANT I ALLY IN C REASE T H E l R
distance of the city. This puts pressure on Melbourne's be a flexible, ongoing and adaptable process.
PO P U LATIO N, WH l CH WO U LD FU RTH ER
surrounding rural areas to provide for larger urban
5U P PO RT B US IN E55 G ROWTH. TH ESE
settlements and leads to the loss of valuable
SU B U R BS HAVE EXC ELLE NT AMEN IT l ES
agricultural land.
SUC H AS TRANS PO RT IN FRAST RUCTU RE,
ACC ESS TO H EALT H S E RYI C E5, AS WELL
AS CO M MERC IAL AN D R EC R EATIO NAL
5E RVI C ES.

URBAN D EVELDPM ENT i NSTITU T E DF A UST DALI A

 I N T R 0 D U C T 10 N

PLAN V EL 3 0U RNE
XEY CONCEPTS FOR PROTECTING THE SUBURBS BY DELIVERING A PIPELINE OF
PLANNING MELB0URNE'S DELIVERING DENSITY IN DEFINED INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
FUTURE LOCATIONS Melbourne has many good examples of large-scale
The Strategy will deliver five subregional housing infrastructure and Oban renewal projects creating a
The Strategy's evidence base includes commissioned
soategies which will assist and guide councils to protect broad ra• 9e of economic, social and environmental
research and expert advice about Melbourne's future
the submbs by deliverin9 density in defined locations. benefits. City Link, the City Loop, Southbarik, Docklands
development challenges and opportunities.'this
A key element of the SOategy will be an expanded and the Western Ring Road have all been instrumental
evidence provided some major strategic insights that
Capital City Zone and a series of new urban renewal in Oansformin9 our city and enhancing its efficiency
informed the Strategy's vision and shaped its Directions
precincts that will have the capacity to accommodate and investment appeal.
and Initiatives. These are some of them.
a large proportion of Melbourne's future housing When 9• vernments successfully transform their cities
DELIVERING A NEW INTEGRATED needs close to transport and services. In achieving this through investment in new infrastructure, they plan
outcome, the majority of Melbourne's existing suburbs from the outset for the best public outcomes such as
ECONOMIC TRIANGLE will be protected fiom significant housing densification. increased productivity, new jobs, more housing choices,
The Strategy will facilitate an integrated land use and greater accessibility and sustainability, new open
transport plan that will recognise the evolution of an A STATE OF CITIES space and facilities. To transform a city they establish a
Integrated Economic Triangle that will be delivered by pipeline of large-scale inhastructme projects that link to
Capital cities play a significant role within state
solo (Maps i and 2). a city plan and can be delivered as and when budgetary
economies as service hubs and export gateways for
and market conditions permit.
The connections that the transport and employment regional businesses. In turn, regional centres that are
precincts deliver will assist in driving the global well connected and within viable commuting distance To support the delivery of city-changing infrastructure,
competitiveness of the state. Currently employment of capital cities otter attractive housing and employment the Strategy establishes a pipeline of defined new
concentrations are limited in location and accessibility. opportunities, and so relieve pressmes on capital cities investment opportunities for the private sector in and
Plan Melbourne seeks to expand connections and by absorbing some of their growing population. around Melbourne's existing and planned transport
locations for investment and jobs. Existing, future and network. The Strategy also supports confidence by
Victoria's long-term prosperity will be supported by improving the governance and decision-making process
proposed transport corridors reinforce existing and
investments that facilitate the 9 Wth of regional around approvals for these projects.
proposed employment concentrations.
Victoria and enable it to be better integrated with
The Inte9 ated Economic Triangle will connect the Melbourne, and with national and international BETTER USE OF EXISTING ASSETS
Hastings-Dandenong corridor with the Hume corridor markets. It is important to improve regional city
to the north and the Wyndham-Gee1ong corridor to connections, integrate metropolitan and regional Modern cities such as Melbourne rely on extensive
the south-west. This Integrated Economic Triangle will planning, and help regional towns and cities be more infrastructure systems. The city's rail, road and
encompass the following elements: affordable, attractive and vibrant places to live and associated mink infiasmicture require billions of dollars
work. This will help ensure that future population of investment to upgrade and maintain each year. The
• an expanded Central City return on that investment needs to be maximised to
growth is not concentrated in Melbourne alone.
• the Port of Hastings Creating a state of cities will require a focus on deliver value to taxpayers and ensure we can provide
• the East West Link and the North East Link soengthening regional city economies to help for new infrastructure to meet the requirements of a
• the Melbourne MeOo project (that will connect rebalance population growth between Melbourne growing pop ation.
Dandenong and Sunbury) and regional centres. Successful cities respond to growth constraints by
- the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road (that will connect making better use of what they already have.
Geelong and Avalon with the Hume Freight Corridor} This includes redeveloping under-utilised and well-
located urban areas to house more people and create
Located along the major transport connections that
opportunities for new investment in businesses and
form the Integrated Economic Triangle are Melbourne's
services. Smart technologies can improve the load
productive and employment centres which include the
capacity and efficiency of existing transport, water,
expanded Central City, National Employment Clusters
waste and energy infiastructure in established urban
and significant industrial precincts.
areas. Doing more with what we have also involves
plannin9 *•r population growth by desi9•• g *••
renewal sites that are co-located with existing and
planned infrastructure.
 SHORT TE M IN EXT0 0EA

L0NG T ER N l2025-20õ0 Ț

kl ELBOU RNE HAS A UNI QUE

CO M PETITIV E ADVANTAGE 0\'ER MANY
OTH ER CITIES BECAUSE IT HAS ACC ESS
TO LARG E AM OU NTS OF R EN EWAL
AREA
WITH IN C LOS E PROXIMITY TO THE CENTRAL

CITY.

COMMITTEE FOR MELBOURHE

20-MINUTE NEIGHBOURHOODS
HOUSING CHOICE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE AND STRONG
'zo-minute neighbomhoods’ are places where you have AFFORDABILITY PARTNERSHIPS
access to local shops, schools, parks, jobs and a range of
community services within a zo-minute trip from your This Strate9x recognises that affordability is more than Successful international cities emphasise well-designed,
front door. Creating a city of zo-minute neighbomhoods just the price of a house, but includes the cost of living. clear and inclusive governance processes that allow the
relies on creating the market size and concentration that While the planning system cannot control all of the widest possible range of voices to be heard, have strong
can support a broad range of local services and facilities. issues that impact on the cost of living, it can influence local leadership, and have collaborative partnerships
the price of land by controlling supply and determining that focus on outcomes. Good governance processes
Some areas in Melbourne already deliver a zo-minute where housing is physically delivered, relative harness local innovation, create opportunities for local
neighbourhood experience. In many inner submbs, for to services and jobs. While demand for housing is driven advocates and neighbourhood-based participation,
instance, residents are within wa •9 distance of many by population growth, it is important that the planning and strengthen social networks and bonds. They assign
services and have 9 od access to public transport. Newer system allows a flexible supply of new housing to responsibility to the right people and organisations and
submbs in Melbourne's growth areas (such as Selandra meet that demand. If the supply of new housing is too give them the power and freedom to act. Sometimes, it's
Rise in Casey and Riverwalk Town Centre in Wyndham) inflexible, affordability will worsen. about governments getting out of the way so that the
have been planned to be pedestrian-fiiendly, active creativity and energy of the community has room
communities. The 9 vernment has made a conscious effort to
to thrive.
significantly increase the supply of housing in the
Current initiatives that are assistin9 tO achieve a city growth areas as one of its first actions. The government
of zo-minute nei9hbourhoods include: has subsequently moved to briD9 ward a pipeline of
• introducing reformed commercial and than renewal projects near jobs and services, including
residential zones Fishermans Bend. This Strategy takes a range of steps to
• updatin9 recJnct Structure PJann1ng GuJdeJ oes influence overall housing affordability.
to increase activity cenoes in growth
areas. TRANSITIONING TO A MORE
In addition to current initiatives, Plan Melbourne SUSTAINABLE CITY
provides a number of additional actions including:
In response to increasing energy, water and waste costs,
• making nei9hbourhoods pedestrian-friendly and to the increasing impacts of a cha• 9ing climate,
• supporting local governments to plan and WH•• 9e cities around the world are working to becomin9 more
their neighbourhoods sustainable and resilient. Innovative meoopolitan
• accommodating the majority of new dwellings in planning approaches include:
established areas within walking distance to the
• creating more compact cities
public transport network.
• making better use of transport infrastructure
• greening metropolitan areas
• creating more open space
• reforming energy and water supply and use
• conseiing biodiversity
• improving building design
• encouraging active forms of oansport,
such as Walki< 9 ^<d cycling. URBAN RE N EWAL AND
REG E N E RAT 10 N A RE I N PO RTA NT E LEME
NTS 0 F A C ITY'S G ROWT H. G OYE R N Ill E NT
HAS A K EY RO LE TO PLAY IN ENS U RIN G
I Ill PO RTANT LOCATIO N5 A RE MAR K ET-
READY WHERE PRIVAT E MARK ETS ARE N OT
YET IN P LAC E.

* RO * ERTY COUNCI L OF AUSTRAL!.?

I NTR0DUCT10N

NAP 1 - BUILDING BLOCKS FOR AN INTEGRATED ECONONIC TRIANGLE - NELBOURNE TODAY

SU UR ?E: C EPART CIENT OF T BANS PU RT, 'LANNIM ? AND L CAT I NFEASTS U CTU.BE, 2'J13

M emu poli la n Re q ie n
M etrapoli la n Urban Be un a my
L'rba r Ar.°a
Road ?et'w'ork
Ra il Ne l'w'ork
Exp a nd ed Ce r bra I City
Na Rio n al E m ploys en' C lu
seer Transport Gatevvay
Key I rid u serial Pre ci nc t3
Key’ Tra iJspori C on n ecti on
Fr=. ig h: Ai rport
Eea Port

BOURNE
PORT

’ALON

NGS
 NAP 2 - DELIVERING AN INTEGRATED ECONOPIIC TRIANGLE BY 2050

Met ropolitan Regi on

Met ropolitan L'rba r Bou ndary
Urba iJ Area
Road N etwo rk

Exp an ed C .°ntral ii ty
O Na\i ona I Emplo‘ men I ?luste r
Tran s po rl Gatev'zay - Exisl i r ¿
Trans po rt Gate ma y - FLit u re
Key I nd us Aria I PreC in its
I n leg ra I ed Evono mi c Triang ie
Key Tran spo rt hon meIio r - Rca
0 ther M ajo r Read Con r ect ion
Key Tran spo rl hon riec I io r -
Rail
Frei q ht Amp
art ort

PORT OF
GEELO NG
POSSIBLE
FUTU RE
SOUTH-EA5T
AIRPORT

P: A M E B'3 R L 11