Stage 2: Expansion program

Learn about the 23 train and tram zone activity centres and consultation program for Stage 2 of the Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres Program.

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Stage 2: Expansion program

There are two stages for the Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres Program, with 25 centres in Stage 1 and 23 centres in Stage 2.

Plans for Stage 1 centres have been finalised and approved by the Minister for Planning. The plans for Stage 2 centres are currently being finalised. We have developed a factsheet summarising the proposed plans for each group of centres. You can view these for each group of centres by clicking on the links below:

About our consultation

We're currently finalising plans for centres in Stage 2. We could not have done this without valuable input from community, councils and stakeholders.

Feedback has been critical in shaping our planning, with community views and insights directly influencing how our planning responds to local priorities and conditions.

Together, this is helping us develop the best possible plans to guide growth and support communities as they evolve over the coming decades.

Consultation for Stage 2 train and tram zone activity centres commenced in October 2025 with:

  • council
  • industry
  • Traditional Owner groups
  • local communities.

We consulted in two distinct phases, giving an opportunity for community members and stakeholder groups to understand the program and provide feedback. The objectives of our consultation were to:

  • build community and stakeholder understanding of the program, the change it will bring and the rationale, including the importance of providing more homes in metropolitan Melbourne
  • provide clear, timely and transparent program information to enable informed participation
  • consult with communities at the right time to collect meaningful feedback
  • reach a diversity of community stakeholder views and perspectives.

Consultation approach and phases

Phase 1 consultation took place from 20 October to 30 November 2025. 

We met with local communities to find out:

  • where they like to spend time
  • how they move through their suburb
  • what areas they want to see protected
  • what needs to be improved.

It was also an opportunity to provide information about the program and to answer questions.

Key activities included:​

  • an online survey
  • local drop-in sessions and walk-bys
  • online question and answer sessions.

Feedback from these activities is helping us to develop draft maps for each centre.

People were able contribute by:

  • completing the online survey
  • registering to attend an online webinar
  • attending our in-person drop-in sessions, where they could meet our planners and ask questions.

Phase 2 consultation for Stage 2 centres ran from 11 February to 22 March 2026.

For this phase, we went back back to the local community, councils and key stakeholders with draft maps, to gain further feedback on:

  • proposed heights
  • proposed core and catchment boundaries
  • important public spaces in the local train and tram zone activity centre.

This was another chance for the community to have their say and help shape our planning.

People were able contribute by:

  • completing the online survey
  • registering to attend an online webinar
  • attending our in-person drop-in sessions, where they could meet our planners and ask questions.

For full details about Phase 2 consultation, please visit the Engage Vic website.

Community Reference Groups (CRGs) were brought together for each group of activity centres following Phase 2 consultation, and took place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March. CRG members represented a diverse range of views and perspectives. The groups reviewed community feedback and developed Statements of Advice for our planning team.

Traditional Owner consultation

Consultation with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation is informing the preparation of Cultural Values Statements, which will be embedded in the final activity centre plans. These statements will elevate understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage and signal the ongoing significance of place.

Councils, state government and key authorities

We regularly consulted with councils, seeking their input on key planning collateral, including draft maps, reviewing their existing planning strategies, and drawing on their extensive knowledge of their local train and tram zone activity centres and their communities.

We have also worked closely with relevant state government departments and agencies to align planning, transport, infrastructure, and service delivery objectives.

Note, we’ve taken a different approach to community engagement for the Inner Melbourne Train and Tram Zone – this featured a public survey, alongside direct council engagement with the City of Melbourne and City of Yarra. For more information, visit the Inner Melbourne Train and Tram Zone page.

Community participation numbers

Phase 1

2,505

Responses to the online survey

45,046

Unique visitors to the Engage Victoria website

309

Attendees across 8 online Q&A sessions

Q&A - questions and answers

890

Attendees across 28 drop-in and walk-by sessions

Phase 2

2,674

Responses to online survey

69,204

Unique visitors to the Engage Victoria website

178

Attendees across 7 online Q&A sessions

1,718

Attendees across 33 drop-in and walk-by sessions

Community Reference Groups (CRGs)

644

Expressions of interest

163

CRG members

15

CRG meetings, including 1 online and 2 in-person sessions per group of centres

23

Statements of advice developed

Key program-wide themes and responses

Across all 23 centres, consistent feedback and themes were captured from community, council, Traditional Owners, industry and major landowners.

Infrastructure Contribution Plans are being considered for the activity centres. This is to fund infrastructure essential to the liveability of current and future communities.

Statewide planning controls now include items relating to canopy cover. We have also considered and have tailored a response to significant landscape overlays.

The planning tools ensure the character of special places is preserved. We’ve amended core and catchment boundaries to reflect local conditions and walking distances from train stations and tram stops.

In addition to retaining existing heritage overlays, we’ve applied lower heights to large heritage precincts. We’ve also not specified heights on Victoria Heritage Register sites in activity centre cores.

Core building heights have been adjusted, where relevant, in response to feedback, to ensure sun protections for important locations.

The Built Form Overlay and Housing Choice and Transport Zone support site consolidation by allowing for greater development capacity when lots are consolidated in core and catchment areas.