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                    Local area planning

                    Pedestrians on street with shops and restaurants

                    ​Lygon Street, Carlton

                    Find out about our plans and projects for developing the municipality's local areas and precincts.

                    In this section

                    • Arden urban renewal precinct

                      Arden is an urban renewal precinct in North Melbourne. Located around the Metro Tunnel’s new Arden Station, Arden will be an employment and transport precinct and a new neighbourhood for Melbourne’s inner north-west.
                    • City North Structure Plan

                      We have identified City North as an urban renewal area that will accommodate significantly more residents and employment growth over the next 30 years. The City North Structure Plan 2012 provides a 30 year vision to guide the renewal of the area.
                    • Docklands Public Realm Plan

                      The Docklands Public Realm Plan provides guidance to public and private sector organisations involved in designing and implementing public spaces in Docklands. It aims to create better connectivity and experiences of public space within Docklands and surrounding areas.
                    • Fishermans Bend urban renewal

                      Fishermans Bend is Australia’s largest urban renewal project covering approximately 480 hectares in the heart of Melbourne. Fishermans Bend consists of five precincts spread across two municipalities – the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip.
                    • Greenline Implementation Plan

                      In December 2021, the Future Melbourne Committee endorsed the Greenline Implementation Plan – outlining the vision for the city-shaping project which will transform the north bank of the Yarra River – Birrarung.
                    • Macaulay Structure Plan Refresh

                      Macaulay is an urban renewal area in the northwest of the central city which incorporates parts of Kensington and North Melbourne. Macaulay will transition into a mixed use, mid-rise neighbourhood with a distinct inner urban character.
                    • Maribyrnong Waterfront: A Way Forward

                      We have undertaken strategic planning work to develop a future vision for the West Melbourne Maribyrnong Waterfront precinct.
                    • Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Opportunities Plan

                      Moonee Ponds Creek is the forgotten waterway of Melbourne but has the potential to be transformed into a vibrant place for the local community.
                    • Southbank Plan 2007

                      The Southbank Plan is a long-term vision to help create a vibrant and well-connected inner-city precinct over a 15-year period.
                    • Southbank Structure Plan 2010 and Projects Report: 2010-2021

                      The City of Melbourne has identified Southbank as an urban renewal area that will accommodate significantly more residents and employment growth over the new 30 years.
                    • West Melbourne Structure Plan

                      City of Melbourne has developed a new West Melbourne Structure Plan, endorsed by the Future Melbourne Committee in February 2018.

                    What is a structure plan?

                    A structure plan sets out a vision for an area in the next 10 to 20 years. Structure plans provide guidance about appropriate directions and opportunities for change. They are strongly focused on sustainability, planning for change that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

                    They include:

                    • plans to guide activities and land uses, including proposed locations for new community hubs and business clusters
                    • plans to manage traffic, car parking, walking, cycling, public transport and freight transport routes
                    • guidance about building heights and forms
                    • plans to enhance open space, including public gathering spaces, parks and gardens.

                    As part of the structure planning process, we consult with the community, businesses and other interested people and groups.

                    Sometimes the changes proposed in a structure plan will require amendments to a planning scheme. This requires additional research, consultation and the involvement of the Victorian Government. At times an independent panel is also convened to assess changes and hear submissions about proposed changes from the community and other stakeholders.

                    It usually takes about 12 months until a structure plan is finally approved and becomes legal through a planning scheme amendment process.

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