Planning Minister Sonia Kilkenny has said the new blueprint to guide how Victoria grows, Plan Victoria, would … ‘‘give Victorians ...a say on how we shape our cities, towns, regions and communities for decades to come … that includes housing affordability and choice … liveable and thriving neighbourhoods, and climate action and sustainability.’’

Getting involved – what can you do:

Phase 1 “Consultation” for Blackburn’s Activity Centre is open until 30th November, 2025.

Strong community feedback is critical to change the proposed Activity Centre boundaries so that tree canopy and heritage protection remains in the Whitehorse Planning Scheme.

Community values need to be emphasised and protected in feedback provided.

Provide your feedback on the Activity Centres by:

Attending an in-person information session:
- 22 November, Nunawading
- 27 November – Blackburn
Completing the online survey.
Submitting a written submission – email to activity.centres@transport.vic.gov.au

Make a donation to support the battle.

Community groups will be mounting an advocacy campaign.

Funding is needed please donate to:

The Forum.

CROWAG hosted a Forum on 9th November where expert planning and design presenters with local community representatives made presentations that help local residents and others with an interest in the three activity centres understand the potential impacts.

The presentations were interspersed with Q&A sessions to provide the opportunity to better understand the key issues and share ideas on how we as a community can respond to the government’s proposed “Consultation” phase.

Residents expressed concern about the impacts of proposed Activity Centres including loss of tree canopy and landscape protection, future building heights, impacts on local amenity, greenspace, sustainability and urban heating from increased density, loss of appeal rights increasing poor design outcomes, impacts on infrastructure, and lack of provision for social infrastructure and social housing.

The Forum Objectives:

To engage Blackburn residents to help them understand the potential impacts that the proposed Victorian Government Activity Centre (AC) re-zoning means for their local area.

To encourage and empower Blackburn residents to make submissions on the proposed Blackburn AC when Phase 1 consultation Which has opened for consultation until 30th November. See Planning website.

Speakers:

Jeff Green, Director City Development at Whitehorse City Council.
Mike Scott – Planning Consultant and Developer at Charter 29.
Megan Short - Local Ecologist and Chair of the Blackburn Creeklands Committee.
Rob Weiss - local resident and President of the Bellbird Residents Advocacy Group (BRAG) -

Links to Useful Reference Information.

Investigation Area Maps with potential catchment boundaries:
Background Summary of key issues (BRAG)
BRAG Web site
National Trust view on Heritage and Housing
Information to assist with submissions

Retain our SLO's

On the Activity Centre chopping block - National Trust Heritage area.

Linum Street in Blackburn.

Whitehorse Activity Centres

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2025 Forum recorded Presentations.

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Slides of presentations.

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Blackburn’s Activity Centre – What does it mean for You?

The State Government has included Blackburn, Nunawading and Mitcham in the 60 new “Activity Centres”. This is a permanent town planning zoning change which allows higher and denser development, and removes your voice to appeal development.

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