South Melbourne Central
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Project Overview

South Melbourne is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in metropolitan Melbourne. Nestled between the Southbank high rise precinct and the Albert Park Reserve is South Melbourne Central - a genuine example of an integrated mixed-use area anchored around the Clarendon Street strip shopping centre and South Melbourne Market. The area takes in important heritage, shopping, business and diversity of both its character and people.


A view over South Melbourne Central from Park Towers public housing building towards the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 



South Melbourne Central is the area generally bounded by Park Street, the light rail corridor, the Westgate Freeway and Kings Way. It focuses on the South Melbourne Activity Centre, based around the Clarendon Street shopping strip, Coventry Street shopping and the South Melbourne Market. 


Map showing South Melbourne Central precinct. 

South Melbourne Central's convenient location between Southbank and the Albert Park Reserve means the area is experiencing pressure on a number of fronts for new developments to take advantage of its enviable position and special characteristics.



 

How Does the State Government's Metropolitan Strategy Affect South Melbourne Central?

The State Government's metropolitan strategy - Melbourne 2030: Planning for Sustainable Growth - identifies a hierarchy and network of 'activity centres' across Melbourne. Melbourne 2030 describes activity centres as places that can accommodate a broader mix of increased housing, employment and activity for the whole community over the next 30 years.

South Melbourne Central is identified in Melbourne 2030 as a major activity centre.  Further information on Melbourne 2030 can be found on the Department of Sustainability and Environment website http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/melbourne2030/. 
 

How Can We Plan For The Future?

The City of Port Phillip is showing leadership by planning in an integrated way for this area that has the potential to experience significant change.

Taking a proactive approach in responding to current development pressures and Melbourne 2030, the City of Port Phillip hosted an intensive six-day Planning Forum to look at the future for South Melbourne Central. The Planning Forum was independently run by consultants Ecologically Sustainable Design Pty Ltd in July 2003. The purpose of the Planning Forum was to explore concepts that would build on the area's potential and special role and character, rather than see it lost to inappropriate development.

Following the forum, in March - May 2004, Council exhibited a draft structure plan. Comments from the community and statutory authorities were incorporated to produce the South Melbourne Structure Plan, which was adopted in September 2004.

In March 2005, the Government approved interim planning controls for the South Melbourne area to give effect to the Structure Plan.  A permanent amendment was then prepared and publicly exhibited.
 

What Happens Next?

An independent panel (appointed by the Minister of Planning) heard submissions to the amendment and provided a report back to Council.  The Council must now consider this report and adopt the amendment.
 

More Information

Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer phone ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Strategic Planning.