Properties with heritage overlays could be subject to new planning rules as part of Allan gov’s radical housing plan

Carly Douglas, Herald Sun, 11 February 2025

Heritage protections across key pockets of Melbourne, including Hawthorn, could be weakened as the Allan government forges ahead with a plan to build residential towers of up to 20-storeys around train stations.

Properties which fall under heritage overlays could be subject to new planning rules, including increased height limits, as part of the state government’s plan to squeeze tens of thousands of homes into new “activity centres”.

The controversial plans, announced last year by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, prompted major backlash, with residents fearing heritage protections could be watered down.

Currently, the residential planning code in heritage zones generally limits height to two storeys.

Sources, however, said fears were circulating that the government could increase the limits to six storeys.

State planning policy executive director Stuart Menzies, speaking to a crowd of 200 Hawthorn locals at a housing forum on Tuesday night, said heritage overlay provisions were being considered by the state government.

Mr Menzies, who was asked whether heritage protections could be watered down, did not rule out adjustments.

“The heritage overlay will be considered with other provisions in the planning scheme, other overlays,” he said, prompting frustration from the crowd.

Boroondara Council Director of Urban Planning Scott Walker was met with a round of applause as he acknowledged major concerns over “protecting heritage and character”.

An online survey of 121 attendees showed 80 per cent were worried or concerned about the plans to squeeze tens of thousands of extra homes into the inner city area.

It comes as the state government prepares to announce a key document which will solidify housing targets for councils, and the next 25 activity centres.

The inner city council have been largely supportive of increased height limits in the core of the centre, but accused the government last year of blindsiding them by adding an 800-metre catchment zone where height limits could increase to six stories.

Victorian Planning Authority chief Stuart Moseley told the crowd that further announcements were due in “coming weeks”.

He assured that there were “no compulsory acquisitions planned or required” as part of the plan.

“You will see that the government has listened and responded to the concerns that were raised, and there’ll be a comprehensive package of information available,” he said.