Today, the Victorian Government made an announcement outlining final planning controls for the Blackburn, Nunawading and Mitcham Train and Tram Zones Activity Centres and the final precinct structure plan of the six new Suburban Rail Loop stations.

The new plans for the Activity Centres can be found on the Victorian Government’s website: Stage 2: Expansion program

In Blackburn Activity Centre, we welcome the reduction in proposed building heights and the continued exclusion of land covered by permanent Significant Landscape Overlays (SLO1, SLO2 and SLO4), reflecting Council's advocacy and community feedback.

By excluding SLO1, SLO2 and SLO4, we can ensure areas with recognised landscape and environmental values remain protected from intensified development.

However, Council remains concerned about the retained catchment area for Mitcham and the final planning outcomes for Nunawading. 

Council believes the catchment in Mitcham extends too far, encompassing areas with valued heritage, established neighbourhood character and significant tree canopy that should be better protected.

Council also concerned about the final plans for the Nunawading Activity Centre, which do not provide any direction on building height or planning controls for some of the large, strategically -located sites within the activity centre core that present significant redevelopment opportunities. 

Council also remains concerned about the removal of third-party appeal rights and the proposed deemed-to-comply approach for all activity centres.

Council will continue to advocate for well-planned housing growth that protects our valued neighbourhoods, heritage, tree canopy and environmental assets while reflecting our community's views.

In regard to the SRL East Precinct, Council is calling on the Victorian Government to release the Standing Advisory Committee reports and final structure plans for the SRL East precincts, along with detailed plans outlining how the proposed 70,000 new homes will be delivered. 

Council is also calling on the Victorian Government to provide more open space in this area to service the growing population projected.  

Council has been advocating to protect open space in the SRL Precinct areas. With significant development planned over the coming 10 years, access to public open space will be a core community and equity issue into the future. This is expected to be most significant in the Box Hill precinct, where public open space could reduce from 19 m² to 7 m² per person by 2056 if no additional open space is provided.

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