Guidelines and Resources
Melbourne 2030 envisages that activity centre planning will give clearer direction regarding future investment in activity centres, to guide and manage growth in centres to achieve more concentrated and more diverse activities in centres. There are different levels of planning and implementation required for each centre.
The following information is provided to assist with the planning and implementation of activity centre policy.
Design Guidelines
- Activity Centre Design Guidelines - provide advice to developers, planners and place managers on what constitutes best-practice in developing high quality activity centres.
- Guidelines for Higher Density Residential Development - help facilitate improved design of residential and mixed use buildings by assisting architects, designers, developers, and Local Government to produce better quality design solutions.
- Safer Design Guidelines - help facilitate the planning and design of safer urban environments for all Victorian communities.
- Interim Design Guidelines for Large Format Retail Premises - provide advice to developers, planners and place managers on what constitutes best-practice in developing vibrant, high quality large format retail centres.
This practice note was released in December 2003 and covers the rationale, policy context and possible outputs of the activity centre structure planning process. It is designed specifically for Central Activities Districts and Principal and Major Activity Centres but can be applied to all types of centres.
Please note that this practice note is currently being reviewed. Until such time as the revised practice note is released, the current version should continue to serve as your guide to structure planning.
Structure Planning for Activity Centres (PDF - 143 KB)Other practice notes and advisory notes published by DPCD about activity centres can be found on the Practice and Advisory Notes web page.
Interim Provisions for Structure Planning
The purpose of interim provisions for structure plans is to assist the management of change in an activity centre or strategic redevelopment site while a planning authority is finalising a structure plan for the area.
This advisory note provides information and advice about:
- how to request interim provisions for structure plans
- when the Minister will agree to introduce interim provisions for structure plans
- how interim provisions for structure plans are implemented in the planning scheme.
Interim Provisions for Structure Plans (PDF - 189 KB)Activity Centre Zone Practice Note
This practice note provides guidance on applying the Activity Centre Zone. The Activity Centre Zone has been designed specifically for Central Activities Districts, Principal and Major Activity Centres and larger regional cities which demonstrate distinct ‘CBD’ type functions.
Activity Centre Zone Practice Note (PDF - 539 KB)Other practice notes and advisory notes published by DPCD about activity centres can be found on the Practice and Advisory Notes web page.
Place Management
The Department acknowledges the importance of place management for Activity Centres. It has provided funding support to local Councils who employ place managers through its Central Activities Districts/Transit Cities and Creating Better Places programs.
The Department acknowledges that place management is a broad and emerging profession that has no set definition or boundaries. To assist current and new Place Managers, the Department has developed a number of support tools, available from the place management web page.
How can I get further information?
For further information on Structure Planning for Activity Centres:
Visit the: Activity Centres Frequently Asked Questions
Phone: 1300 366 356 (local call cost) or TTY +61 3 9603 8806 (8.30am-5pm Monday-Friday)
Email: activity.centres@dpcd.vic.gov.au
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