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The vision for Elsternwick
The following vision for the Elsternwick train and tram zone activity centre is built from the Statement of Advice prepared by a Community Reference Group (CRG) made up of local community members and the Elsternwick Structure Plan 2023.
Glen Eira City Council’s vision for the Elsternwick activity centre core in the Elsternwick Structure Plan 2023:
“A safe, connected, accessible and liveable centre that embraces its historic character and strong cultural and village feel.
The centre will be a destination for its longstanding cultural and entertainment offerings, business and employment opportunities, and a range of quality local retail outlets and community spaces, providing a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable future.”
Building on Glen Eira City Council’s vision for the core, the surrounding residential area, referred to as the catchment, will offer diverse types of homes for existing and future residents of the area. New housing will be carefully planned to support a diverse and growing community, with development focused in locations close to public transport, shops, services and community facilities."
"I welcome more homes in our area – it’s a lovely place to live and I would like more people to be able to experience it."
Why Elsternwick is in the program
The program is about creating more opportunities for diverse types of housing in areas close to existing train and tram services that have room to grow now and into the future.
The Elsternwick activity centre is located around Elsternwick train station and Glen Huntly Road, and is well serviced by public transport, linking people to employment, retail, recreation and services.
This centre benefits from strong public transport connectivity, with the Sandringham rail line, tram route 67 and a bus network providing links to the Melbourne central city and other key destinations such as Caulfield, South Yarra and Brighton.
We heard from community that managing impacts on amenity, sunlight and street experience including retention of existing tree canopy is important, as well as upgrades to transport and active transport options.
In the Community Reference Group Statement of Advice, we heard the call for more infrastructure to support housing growth and improved pedestrian facilities such as footpath widenings.
As part of our work, we've:
- removed Rippon Lea Estate from the catchment boundary, due to its significant heritage status and community use
- identified the need for potential cycling improvements along the Nepean Highway and Glen Huntly Road, for improving and increasing both walking and cycling
- included Elsternwick Club as a potential location for public space and community infrastructure improvements
- included indicative pedestrian links to improve access near the train station and increase walkability in parts of Glen Huntly Road and surrounds.
Elsternwick core and catchment map
View the Caulfield to Bentleigh and Elsternwick core and catchment map.
Elsternwick core and catchment explained
The core is the central part of the train and tram zone activity centre, closest to public transport, jobs and services. This area is best suited to accommodate more homes.
Glen Eira City Council prepared the Elsternwick Structure Plan 2023, which sets out a vision for how the area should grow and change over time. Because this plan is up to date and broadly aligns with the objectives for activity centres, it plays a key role in guiding development in the core of Elsternwick.
This means the approach for the Elsternwick activity centre core is slightly different. It is primarily guided by the Structure Plan, particularly when it comes to building heights.
The catchment is the surrounding area within approximately 10 minutes’ walk of the core (around 800 metres).
As you move away from the commercial and community core of the train and tram zone activity centre, we expect that the building heights will gradually decrease. This will allow a transition between the activity centre and the surrounding suburb.
In Elsternwick, the inner catchment responds to surrounding open spaces, existing train and tram lines and bus services.
The outer catchment responds to existing heritage overlay precincts.
Visit the How we’re planning page to find out more about core and catchment areas, new planning tools, streamlined planning processes and the approach to delivering more homes in train and tram zone activity centres.
Page last updated: 22/07/26