Expanding the activity centres program

We’re planning for more homes close to public transport, jobs and services in 60 activity centres across Melbourne

We want to provide all Victorians with the choice of a well-designed home, at an affordable price, in a place where they can thrive. That’s why we’re planning for more homes in and around 60 train and tram zones across Melbourne, encouraging more than 300,000 new homes to be built around train and tram lines, jobs and services by 2051.

By planning for more housing in activity centres, we’re supporting more Victorians to live closer to jobs, services, public transport and green, open space. It’s part of the Housing Statement, to deliver more homes for more Victorians, in the places people want to live.

Expanding the Activity Centres Program

In 2025, we're expanding the Activity Centres Program to include another 50 train and tram zones where there is good access to public transport, jobs and services.

The locations of these centres have been chosen based on an analysis of transport capacity, market viability, access to jobs and services, and environmental considerations.

These 50 train and tram zones will provide capacity for more than 300,000 additional homes by 2051, giving more Victorians the choice of a home that's close to public transport.

We're finalising our plans for the first 10 activity centres. The expanded 50 train and tram zones are located close to stations that will benefit from the Metro Tunnel and well-serviced train and tram lines.

Announced in October 2024

Announced in February 2025

*The program includes a cluster of inner city suburbs where, in collaboration with local government, we will identify specific opportunities for strategic redevelopment sites.

Why we’re planning for more homes in activity centres

We’re planning for more homes in activity centres across Melbourne so more Victorians can access homes in the places they want to live. Right across Victoria, not enough people have the chance to afford a home close to the people and places they love. The status quo isn’t an option, we need to act now to make sure we build a future where every Victorian can choose a home that’s right for them. We will need 1.8 million new homes in metropolitan Melbourne by 2051.Making sure that new homes are well-located will allow us to maximise use of existing infrastructure and transport. By planning more housing around activity centres, we are supporting more Victorians to live closer to jobs, services, public transport and green, open space.

What is an activity centre?

Activity centre planning is about building more opportunities and better communities by setting clear expectations for long-term growth, giving the community a say early and streamlining planning to unblock home building. Through this program of new activity centres, the vision is for taller buildings in the immediate ‘core’ where the train station and built-up commercial centre is located.

In areas where the train station is very residential, the core could be very small, with more modest height limits compared to larger stations. In the walkable ‘catchments’ up to 800 metres surrounding the core, the vision is for gentler, scaled height limits and more low-rise apartments and townhouses alongside existing homes.

The change in these catchments will be sensitive and incremental, occurring over time. Heritage and landscape overlays will stay in place, and how it works in every community will be designed in consultation with locals.

Why we chose these activity centres

The activity centres in this program were chosen based on an analysis of transport capacity, market viability, access to jobs and services, and environmental considerations.

Victorians want more homes close to public transport, jobs and services. With more capacity coming onto our train network in 2025, this program is focused on locating more homes close to train stations that have the highest capacity now and into the future.

The decision to add more activity centres close to train stations follows community feedback on our first 10 activity centres in 2024, where Victorians emphasised the importance of transport connections.

Consulting on the next train and tram zones

Throughout 2025 and 2026, we will be working with local communities, councils and stakeholders to better understand how we can improve access to housing while enhancing the things that make these centres great places to live.

For half of these activity centres, this work will take place throughout 2025. For the other half, this work will begin in late 2025.

We will be working closely with local councils, stakeholders and the community as we develop our plans and will be meeting with them regularly.

Stage 1: Understanding each centre

In April, we will begin consulting with local communities to learn what you love about your area.

We'll want to know what places are important to you, and what local characteristics you want to protect and enhance. This feedback will help us develop our draft plans for each activity centre

Stage 2: Have your say

In Mid-2025, we will start to release key components of our draft plans for these activity centres and ask for your feedback.

We'll want to know if we've gotten these details right, or if there's anything we've missed, to help us finalise our plans.

Community reference groups

Throughout our planning process, we want to hear from a representative group of community members to help us develop our plans.

We will establish Community Reference Groups, who will meet to deliberate on community feedback and to provide input to inform our plans.

Page last updated: 27/02/25