FAQs
FAQs
- building height
- architectural presentation
- public realm
- sustainability
- access and car parking
- interfaces with surrounding residential uses and open spaces.
- stimulate the economy
- enhance the environment
- generate activity
- provide a safe, inclusive and engaging public realm.
- Community consultation on the 'Design Concepts' (May – June 2024)
- Community consultation on the draft Activity Centre Design Guidelines (early 2025)
- Translation of the Activity Centre Design Guidelines into a Design and Development Overlay in the Manningham Planning Scheme (2025)
- building heights
- residential interfaces
- architectural presentation
- public realm
- sustainability
- access and car parking.
- Bulleen Plaza
- Donburn
- Doncaster East Village (including Devon Plaza)
- Jackson Court
- Macedon Square / Plaza
- Park Orchards
- Templestowe Village
- Tunstall Square
- Warrandyte Goldfields.
- heritage significance of the township
- bushfire hazard
- slope and landslip risk
- flooding risk
- rural landscape character of the area.
What are Activity Centre Design Guidelines?
Activity Centre Design Guidelines (Guidelines) identify a set of objectives and strategies, which aim to achieve good design outcomes in our Neighbourhood Activity Centres.
The objectives and strategies of the Guidelines address:
Why are we preparing Activity Centre Design Guidelines?
As Manningham’s population grows, our activity centres will change. Over the next 12 years, our population is expected to increase by around 18,000 people, to more than 144,000 people. This means we will need approximately 8,000 new homes across Manningham.
We will need to accommodate this growth and development, while protecting the vibrancy of the centre, amenity of the public spaces within and surrounding our activity centres, the valued characteristics of the area and sensitive residential interfaces.
What is good design?
Good design is about creating functional and attractive places, that have a positive social, environmental, economic and cultural outcome for people. Good design can transform and improve the quality of life of residents, visitors and people who work within activity centres. It can also:
The Commercial 1 Zones applies to our neighbourhood activity centres provides general guidance on built form and land use. There are no specific requirements for heights, setbacks or interfaces.
How will the Activity Centre Design Guidelines be prepared?
The Activity Centre Design Guidelines will be prepared in three stages:
The first stage of consultation on the 'Design Concepts' relates to:
Community feedback on the Design Concepts will help inform further development of the draft Activity Centre Design Guidelines.
The community will be invited to provide feedback on the draft Activity Centre Design Guidelines in the second stage of consultation.
The Guidelines will be based on principles of good design, with consideration of the context of each Neighbourhood Activity Centre.
Where will the Activity Centre Design Guidelines apply?
The Activity Centre Design Guidelines will apply to our Neighbourhood Activity Centres, including:
Where will the Activity Centre Design Guidelines not apply?
The Activity Centre Design Guidelines will not apply to Doncaster Hill, The Pines and the Warrandyte Township. Development in the Warrandyte Township is constrained due to:
The Warrandyte Township Heritage Guidelines 2007 identify and protect the special character of the area.
How will the Activity Centre Design Guidelines influence development?
Following Council’s endorsement, the Activity Centre Design Guidelines will be implemented through a Design and Development Overlay (DDO) in the Manningham Planning Scheme.
A Planning Scheme Amendment will be undertaken to introduce the DDO. Once approved, the objectives and strategies will be considered through the planning permit application process.
The Guidelines will not impact existing buildings.
What consideration will be given to traffic and car parking impacts ?
The Design Guidelines will seek to minimise the impact of car parking on the public realm. Car parking will be encouraged in basements, above ground and screened from view from the public realm. Vehicle access through laneways will be encouraged to avoid disruption to footpaths.
The aim is to encourage walking and cycling to the activity centres. Many of our activity centres have good access to public transport networks, which provide an alternative to cars.
Development in our neighbourhood activity centres will occur incrementally. Where applicable, planning permit applications will still be required to undertake a car parking and traffic assessment.
What State Government initiatives relate to activity centres?
Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 sets out policy guidance for the development of activity centres. The Activity Centre Design Guidelines will align with the principles of improving liveability and accessibility to activity centres, within a 20-minute return trip.
As part of Victoria’s Housing Statement, the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) are currently working with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to deliver more homes close to services, jobs, and transport in 10 activity centres across Melbourne. None of these activity centres are located within Manningham.