The Tally Ho Activity Centre is designated as a Major Activity Centre (MAC) in Plan Melbourne 2017-2050. Tally Ho is a key eastern suburbs office park and technology hub and provides approximately 3,750 jobs. The Melbourne Industrial and Commercial Land Use Plan 2020 reinforces this role, stating that the Tally Ho MAC is a regional employment node with substantial office space. It is also located close to tram and bus services. Council actively supports maintaining and enhancing the economic role and function of Tally Ho.

The MAC and surrounding area also feature several key sites that will be developed. These sites play a vital role in maximising the investment in Tally Ho to strengthen the activity centre’s economic role in the region and to broaden the mix of land uses.

Preparation of a Tally Ho Structure Plan

Council commenced a project in late 2023 to prepare a Structure Plan for the Tally Ho MAC. The project includes a comprehensive review of the existing UDF and the Guidelines.

The Structure Plan will inform future changes to the Planning Scheme. This could include zoning changes, revisions to the existing planning controls and other provisions where needed, along with any non-statutory actions that are relevant to achieving the revised vision for the MAC.

Stage 1 of the project consisted of a background review.

Stage 2 of the project was recently completed and included the preparation of an Issues and Opportunities Report (you can download the documents below).

Tally Ho Structure Plan - Issues & Opportunities Summary Report

- Summary Report - English

- Summary Report - Simplified Chinese

Tally Ho Structure Plan - Issues & Opportunities Full Report

- Full Report (part 1)

- Full report (part 2)

- Appendix document ( PDF 10.62MB)

Council wants to hear your thoughts and is hosting a drop-in information session:

WHEN:	Wednesday 13 March 4.30pm–6pm
WHERE:	East Burwood Hall 310 Burwood Highway, Burwood East

Come along anytime between 4.30 and 6pm to discuss the Issue and Opportunities Report, complete a survey and register your interest to be kept informed about consultation in future Stages.

Alternatively, register here to be kept informed about future consultation or to complete the survey online.

For more information, contact Council’s Strategic Planning Team on 9262 6303.

Tally Ho - Urban Design Framework

In 2007 Council adopted the Tally Ho Urban Design Framework (UDF) to guide change within the MAC.  The UDF includes broad development principles for the whole area, as well as specific design guidelines for some of the major sites that are ready for redevelopment. The Tally Ho Urban Design and Landscape Guidelines 2013 ( PDF 9.01MB) (the Guidelines) were subsequently adopted in October in 2015.

Amendment C110 to the Whitehorse Planning Scheme (Planning Scheme) implemented the UDF and the Guidelines.

Tally Ho Major Activity Centre - Review of the Commercial 1 Zone 

In 2013 the State government changed the zoning of land in the Business 1 Zone (B1Z) and Business 2 Zone (B2Z) to the Commercial 1 Zone (C1Z). Most of the land in the Tally Ho MAC was previously in the B2Z, intended for offices and associated commercial uses.  The change to the C1Z had the potential to change the role of the MAC as an important employment hub by allowing non-employment uses, such as residential.

In 2019 Council examined if the C1Z was the most appropriate zone for the MAC, or whether a more suitable planning tool was needed to ensure the vision for the MAC is achieved and sustained. The Tally Ho Commercial 1 Zone Review  ( PDF 6.42MB) (the Review) prepared by Urban Enterprise recommended changing the planning controls in the MAC to align with the business and employment focus of Tally Ho.

The Review was on public consultation in February and April 2020.  At its meeting on 27 January 2021 Council considered the submissions received and decided to undertake a review of the DDO9, concurrent with seeking a planning scheme amendment to rezone the C1Z to the Commercial 3 Zone.

However, the State Government refused to authorise the amendment as they believed the background documents for the amendment were outdated.

As a result, a review of the current UDF is required to establish a renewed vision for the centre that can underpin future planning scheme amendments.

For more information, contact Council’s Strategic Planning Team on 9262 6303.