Introduction > Melbourne 2030 in summary > Directions

Directions

The core of Melbourne 2030 is nine 'directions' - or desired results - whose achievement over time depends on putting into effect specific, carefully framed policies.

Direction 1 – A more compact city

• Build up activity centres as a focus for high-quality development, activity and living for the whole community (Policy 1.1)
• Broaden the base of activity in centres that are currently dominated by shopping to include a wider range of services over longer hours, and restrict out-of-centre development (Policy 1.2)
• Locate a substantial proportion of new housing in or close to activity centres and other strategic redevelopment sites that offer good access to services and transport (Policy 1.3)

Direction 2 – Better management of metropolitan growth

• Establish an urban growth boundary to set clear limits to metropolitan Melbourne’s outward development (Policy 2.1)
• Concentrate urban expansion into growth areas that are served by high-capacity public transport (Policy 2.2)
• Manage the sequence of development in growth areas so that services are available from early in the life of new communities (Policy 2.3)
• Protect the green wedges of metropolitan Melbourne from inappropriate development (Policy 2.4)

Direction 3 – Networks with the regional cities

• Promote the growth of regional cities and key towns on regional transport corridors as part of a networked cities model (Policy 3.1)
• Control development in rural areas to protect agriculture and avoid inappropriate rural residential development (Policy 3.2)

Direction 4 – A more prosperous city

• Maintain access to productive natural resources and an adequate supply of well-located land for energy generation, infrastructure and industry (Policy 4.1)
• Strengthen Central Melbourne’s capital city functions and its role as the primary business, retail, sport and entertainment hub for the metropolitan area (Policy 4.2)
• Further develop the key transport gateways and freight links and maintain Victoria’s position as the nation’s premier logistics centre (Policy 4.3)
• Create opportunities for innovation and the knowledge economy within existing and emerging industries, research and education (Policy 4.4)
• Encourage the continued deployment of broadband telecommunications services that are easily accessible (Policy 4.5)

Direction 5 – A great place to be

• Promote good urban design to make the environment more liveable and attractive (Policy 5.1)
• Recognise and protect cultural identity, neighbourhood character and sense of place (Policy 5.2)
• Improve community safety and encourage neighbourhood design that makes people feel safe (Policy 5.3)
• Protect heritage places and values (Policy 5.4)
• Promote excellent neighbourhood design to create attractive, walkable and diverse communities (Policy 5.5)
• Improve the quality and distribution of local open space and ensure long-term protection of public open space (Policy 5.6)
• Rectify gaps in the network of metropolitan open space by creating new parks and ensure major open space corridors are protected and enhanced (Policy 5.7)
• Improve the environmental health of the bays and their catchments (Policy 5.8)
• Protect coastal and foreshore environments, and improve public access and recreational facilities around Port Phillip Bay and Western Port (Policy 5.9)
• Maintain and develop metropolitan Melbourne as a desirable tourist destination (Policy 5.10)

Direction 6 – A fairer city

• Increase the supply of well-located affordable housing (Policy 6.1)
• Plan for a more equitable distribution of social infrastructure (Policy 6.2)
• Improve the coordination and timing of the installation of services and infrastructure in new development areas (Policy 6.3)
• Develop a strong cultural environment and increase access to arts, recreation and other cultural facilities (Policy 6.4)

Direction 7 – A greener city

• Ensure that water resources are managed in a sustainable way (Policy 7.1)
• Reduce the amount of waste generated and encourage increased reuse and recycling of waste materials (Policy 7.2)
• Contribute to national and international efforts to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions (Policy 7.3)
• Reduce the impact of stormwater on bays and catchments (Policy 7.4)
• Protect ground water and land resources (Policy 7.5)
• Ensure that land-use and transport planning and infrastructure provision contribute to improved air quality (Policy 7.6)
• Protect native habitat and areas of important biodiversity through appropriate land-use planning (Policy 7.7)
• Promote the concept of sustainability and develop benchmarks to measure progress (Policy 7.8)
• Lead by example in environmental management (Policy 7.9)

Direction 8 – Better transport links

• Upgrade and develop the Principal Public Transport Network and local public transport services to connect activity centres and link Melbourne to the regional cities (Policy 8.1)
• Improve the operation of the existing public transport network with faster, more reliable and efficient on-road and rail public transport (Policy 8.2)
• Plan urban development to make jobs and community services more accessible (Policy 8.3)
• Coordinate development of all transport modes to provide a comprehensive transport system (Policy 8.4)
• Manage the road system to achieve integration, choice and balance by developing an efficient and safe network and making the most of existing infrastructure (Policy 8.5)
• Review transport practices, including design, construction and management, to reduce environmental impacts (Policy 8.6)
• Give more priority to cycling and walking in planning urban development and in managing our road system and neighbourhoods (Policy 8.7)
• Promote the use of sustainable personal transport options (Policy 8.8)

Direction 9 – Better planning decisions, careful management

• Achieve better planning decisions (Policy 9.1)
• Speed up resolution of appeals (Policy 9.2)
• Keep Melbourne 2030 up to date (Policy 9.3)
• Develop a strong partnership with local government (Policy 9.4)
• Implement Melbourne 2030 in an integrated way that involves the community (Policy 9.5)