Picture: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
More than 300,000 new homes near 50 train stations by 2051 – that’s the target the Victorian Government has set for inner Melbourne.
State Premier Jacinta Allan and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny visited Middle Brighton Station on Sunday and announced the station was among 50 new Train And Tram Zone Activity Centres.
The government expects the new zones to encourage more homes around high-frequency train lines, aimed especially at younger people wanting to rent or buy near public transport.
The first 25 zones announced on Sunday focus on stations that benefit from the Metro Tunnel and the Frankston, Sandringham, Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverley Lines.
The following stations have been designated for centres.
- Metro Tunnel: Carnegie, Hughesdale, Murrumbeena, Oakleigh, Middle Footscray, West Footscray and Tottenham;
- Belgrave/Lilydale Line: Hawthorn, Glenferrie, Auburn, Blackburn, Nunawading and Mitcham;
- Frankston Line: Toorak, Hawksburn, Armadale and Malvern stations. (All level crossings on this line to go with trains to return to the City Loop when the tunnel opens);
- Sandringham Line: North Brighton, Middle Brighton, Hampton and Sandringham;
- Glen Waverley Line: Tooronga, Darling and Gardiner/Glen Iris (combined).
- A centre at Toorak Village and Middle Footscray have been classified as smaller ‘neighbourhood activity centres’ for limited growth.
Allan says building more homes around 50 inner-suburban train stations will give young people a greater chance to rent or buy a place that is close to public transport.
“I know it won’t fix everything but it will deliver more homes and new life to inner suburbs that are full of jobs, transport and services – where young buyers and renters are currently locked out,” she says.
Kilkenny says the change won’t happen overnight.
“… This is about incremental change that sets Victoria up for the next generation so we can have more opportunities for young people and better communities for everyone,” she says.
“Many of these communities have never had a formal plan for their future before.
“This process will enhance what’s special about these suburbs while delivering more homes near transport, shops, schools, services and parks.”
The locations for the other 25 centres will be announced later this year, the government says.
All but one of the first 25 centres are based directly on train stations.
The 25 centres will be delivered in two tranches over the next 12 months; all 50 new centres are likely to be complete by 2026.
For details about the existing 10 Activity Centres, visit engage.vic.gov.au/activitycentres.
