Structure Planning

Government policy encourages a safer, more vibrant and accessible communities across Melbourne, through its activity centre policy.

While the activities areas policy sets out the basic principles for the future development, there is no 'one size fits all' solution. Each area is unique and local governments are encouraged to work with their communities to determine exactly how their activity centre should grow taking into account regional population trends and economic growth.

The aim of structure planning for activities areas is to give effect to the policies and objectives set out for activity centres in State Policy to provide effectively for changing community needs.

Structure plans will provide the foundation for activities areas change by defining the preferred direction of future growth and articulating how this change will be managed.

Structure plans will guide the major changes to land use, built form and public spaces that together can achieve economic, social and environmental objectives for the centre. To encourage development within centres, State Policy encourages local governments to review the purpose and function of individual centres and to revise local planning policies through a program of structure planning for each of their Principal and Major Activities Areas and Central Activities Areas.

For further information in structure planning you can visit: Activities Areas Frequently Asked Questions.

Activity Centres Toolkit: Making It Happen

The Activity Centres Toolkit: Making It Happen has been prepared to assist local government, business associations, property owners and other government agencies implement activity centre policy and structure plan initiatives. The toolkit outlines a number of ways to improve activity centres and attract investment for development such as becoming development ready and moving from planning to implementation. It also includes case studies that showcase best-practice approaches undertaken by a range of councils.

Activity Centres Toolkit - Making it happen (PDF 1.8 MB)

Activity Centres Toolkit - Making it happen (MS Word 207 KB)

Practice Note 58 – Structure Planning for Activities Areas

Following consultation with local governments and key stakeholders a revised practice note was developed.

The revised practice note simplifies the process and gives clearer direction to councils to produce clear and concise documents that will be easily implemented through the statutory planning framework and other non-statutory processes such as capital works initiatives, centre marketing and development facilitation. It leads to more concise structure plans providing clearer direction to the community and potential investors.

Structure planning for activity areas, April 2010 PN58 (PDF 238 KB)

Structure planning for activity areas, April 2010 PN58 (DOC 114 KB)

The Practice Note also highlights the importance of engaging stakeholders early on in the structure planning process. To assist with early stakeholder engagement, contact details of the key government agencies and departments that may be involved in the structure planning process and the details are listed in the Excel spreadsheet below. This information is accurate as of 1 June 2010. If any details need updating please email activities.areas@dpcd.vic.gov.au.

Government contacts for Structure Planning (MS Excel 43 KB)

Model Structure Plan and Background Report Outline – Ruby Town

DPCD has prepared the model structure plan as a template to assist Councils to deliver developments and improvements in activity centres. The template provides basic structure plan elements, based on a fictitious place – Ruby Town. It uses a 20-30 page format, together with sample maps. The model Structure Plan is informed by the revised Planning Practice Note: Structure Planning for Activities Areas

Ruby Town Model Structure Plan (PDF 1.8 MB)

Ruby Town Model Structure Plan (MS Word 124 KB)

Comprehensive background information is required to support a structure plan and the Background Report Outline provides a sample table of contents of the issues and topics which should be addressed.

Ruby Town Background Report Outline (PDF 658 KB)

Ruby Town Background Report Outline (MS Word 39 KB)

Practice Note 60 – Height and setback controls for activities areas

Structure plans provide the foundation for activities areas change by clarifying preferred directions for future growth and articulating how this change will be managed. As part of this process, structure plans may propose preferred built form outcomes including building heights and setbacks.

Height and setback controls can be appropriate so long as they are not aimed at restricting the built form, but at facilitating good design outcomes. This new practice note provides guidance and clarification on DPCDs preferred approach to the application of height and setback controls for activity centres.

Height and setback controls for activities areas, April 2010 PN60 (PDF 179 KB)

Height and setback controls for activities areas, April 2010 PN60 (DOC 82 KB)

Examples of Structure Plans and Statutory Implementation

Several Councils have structure plans completed for their principal and major activity centres. Links to a selection of completed structure plans and their corresponding planning scheme amendments are included on this page to demonstrate what a structure plan should contain, its presentation and clear implementation mechanisms. Given the nature of structure planning and its complexity below is a set of best practice examples for different types of centres.

Status of Structure Plans

The Status of Structure Plans report will be updated every quarter. This report lists the Central Activities Areas and Principal and Major Activities Areas in each municipality and the progress of each structure plan in these centres. Planning Scheme Amendment references and Exhibition and Gazettal dates are noted where relevant.

Implementation spreadsheet - December 2011 (XLS 24.9 KB)

Any changes or additions to the status of structure plans should be referred to the Activity Centres Unit by phoning (03) 9094 8456.

How can I get further information?

For further information on Structure Planning for Activities Areas:

Visit the: Activities Areas Frequently Asked Questions

Phone: 1300 366 356 (local call cost) or TTY +61 3 9603 8806 (8.30am-5pm Monday-Friday)

Email: activities.areas@dpcd.vic.gov.au

For further information on the Government's planning framework, the strategies and projects behind State Policy and how they are being implemented, visit the Planning for Melbourne web page.

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