Victorian Government Activity Centres Program - Expansion to Thornbury
Published on 06 November 2025
November 2025 Update:
Darebin's Advocacy and Submission
At its meeting on 27 October 2025, Council resolved to endorse the draft submission (with amendments) in response to the Victorian Government’s plans for the Thornbury Cluster. As part of this resolution, Council requests:
- the opportunity to work further with the Victorian Government to support detailed planning controls and infrastructure investment into the Thornbury Cluster.
- that State Government engage further with the community as planning progresses, enabling genuine feedback on proposals.
- that the State Government provide information on available funding streams and contributions to support local infrastructure delivery; and
- that the State Government’s proposed list of infrastructure projects remains confidential until such time that the State Government and Council have thoroughly collaborated and reached agreement.
For more details on the resolution, please visit Council Meetings and Agendas.
A finalised amended submission was provided to the Department of Transport and Planning on 28 October 2025. Alongside detail feedback, it outlined following key Council priorities:
- that the State Government ensures the inner catchment of the Thornbury Activity Centre is not treated as a single, uniform zone, but instead recognises the distinct character, constraints, and access limitations of individual streets.
- that the State Government continue to plan for primary and secondary school capacity to accommodate the projected increase in families and children resulting from future housing development in the area.
- maintain mid-rise development across High Street and St Georges Road cores, capped at 6 storeys, except in specific circumstances that meet the additional criteria set out in the submission.
- allow taller buildings, only considered on large, master-planned sites and supported by a robust public benefits framework under the Built Form Overlay, but have a maximum height of 10 storeys on such sites.
To view the final submission, please see Darebin Submission to Thornbury (High Street & St Georges Road) Activity Centre Program
September 2025 Update:
State Government releases plan for Thornbury Activity Centres
As part of its Activity Centres Program, the State Government has this week released plans for two new activity centres in Darebin, at High Street and St Georges Road in Thornbury.
Council officers have been providing technical feedback to state agencies advocating for the best outcomes for our community to ensuring that growth in Thornbury is sustainable, well-designed, and supported by the infrastructure and services our community needs.
Key advocacy priorities include:
- Directing housing growth in the right paces in line with Council’s Housing Strategy, with clear targets for affordable and social housing.
- Ensuring planning controls deliver high-quality, sustainable design, appropriate building heights, and protection for heritage and neighbourhood character.
- Improving public and active transport connections, upgrading accessible (DDA-compliant) tram stops, and funding priority projects in Darebin’s Transport Strategy.
- Strengthening environmental sustainability with minimum environmentally sustainable design standards, more canopy cover, climate resilience measures, and better stormwater management.
- Securing fair developer contributions for parks, community facilities and public realm upgraders to meet the needs of a growing population.
- Keeping the community involved in planning with transparent decision-making and ongoing opportunities to share feedback.
Council will take a submission to a meeting in October. See meeting dates and agendas here
Our recently adopted Housing Strategy will guide how we advocate for housing growth in these centres
The second stage of engagement is now open, and we will again be making a submission calling for the best outcomes for Darebin. To have your say, visit: Thornbury | Activity Centres Program – Phase 2: Sharing our draft maps | Engage Victoria
April 2025 Update:
Following the completion of the ten pilot centres, including Preston, the Victorian Government announced in April 2025 plans to expand its Activity Centre Program.
The expanded Activity Centre Program involves planning for more homes in 50 additional centres close to train and tram zones across Melbourne. Within Darebin two new centres are being planned in Thornbury: High Street (Thornbury) on the Mernda line and St Georges Road (Thornbury) on the Route 11 tram line.
State-led consultation: The State Government will conduct two phases of consultation, starting in early May. This will include drop-in or online Q&A sessions, online surveys for submissions, and a community reference group process. To join the community conversation on the two new centres visit Engage Victoria