Activity Centers Strategy

1. COUNCIL MINUTES
MONDAY 20 J ULY 2015
Page 23
4 PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATION 0377/14 - 589 TOORAK ROAD, TOORAK – DEMOLITION OF AN
EXISTING BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI-DWELLING DEVELOPMENT IN A GENERAL
RESIDENTIAL ZONE AND HERITAGE OVERLAY, REDUCTION TO THE VISITOR CAR PARKING
REQUIREMENT AND ALTERATION OF ACCESS TO A ROAD ZONE CATEGORY 1
MOTION: MOVED CR CHANDLER SECONDED CR KOCE
That consideration of Planning Permit No: 377/14 for the land located at 589 Toorak
Road, Toorak for demolition of an existing building and construction of a multi
dwelling development in a General Residential Zone and Heritage Overlay, reduction
in the visitor car parking requirement and alteration of access to a Road Zone
Category 1 be deferred for one Council cycle.
Carried
5 PLANNING PERMIT AMENDMENT 0730/09 - 90 CAROLINE STREET, SOUTH YARRA - SECONDARY
CONSENT AMENDMENT TO APPROVED PLANS COMPRISING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GARDEN
SHED, INSTALLATION OF AN EXHAUST FAN AND DUCT, AND REPLACEMENT OF BOUNDARY
FENCES
MOTION: MOVED CR CHANDLER SECONDED CR KOCE
That Council approve the proposed secondary consent amendment to the endorsed
plans of Planning Permit No: 0730/09 for the land located at 90 Caroline Street,
South Yarra, for the following design changes:
 Construction of a garden shed along the northern boundary, with a height of
1.9m, a depth of 1m and a width of approximately 3.1m.
 Extension of the brick fence at the eastern end of the northern boundary. The
extended brick fence has a length of 2.56m and a height of 2.36m.
 Replacement of the existing shared fence with 59 Avoca Street along the
eastern boundary with a height of 1.9m.
 Installation of pool heat pumps, exhaust fan and duct on the roof above the
garage.
 Nomination of land level to show the Australian Height Datum (AHD) instead of
Relative Level (RL).
Carried
6 ACTIVITY CENTRES STRATEGY - OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS
MOTION: MOVED CR CHANDLER SECONDED CR DAVIE
That Council:
1. Note the key opportunities and constraints and the proposed hierarchy for the
Activity Centres Strategy.
2. Authorise officers to use the key opportunities and constraints and the
proposed hierarchy to form the basis of Stage 1 consultation.
Carried
D
R
AFT

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20 JULY 2015
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6. ACTIVITY CENTRES STRATEGY - OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS
Manager City Strategy: Susan Price
General Manager Sustainable Future: Karen Watson
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to:
• Update Council on the progress of the Activity Centres Strategy.
• Note the opportunities and constraints for Stage 1 consultation.
BACKGROUND
The City of Stonnington has 5 large and 18 smaller commercial activity centres. Council is
progressing a number of projects, including Structure Plans, to better manage the built form
outcomes and operation of these centres.
Plan Melbourne and New Planning Zones
The State Government has released significant planning reforms including Plan Melbourne
(final May 2014) and the reformed residential zones (Stonnington residential zones approved
June 2014). The former Business 1 and Business 2 zone have been consolidated into the
Commercial 1 zone. The Commercial 1 zone broadens the range of uses permitted without a
planning permit including retail, offices and cinema. A greater intensity of use and
development is supported in commercial zones as a result of the planning reforms. Plan
Melbourne encourages higher density and levels of development as a matter of principle in
all activity centres.
The Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, has announced that he will reconvene the expert
Committee that developed the original Plan Melbourne. As reported in the Premier's media
release (27 March, 2015), Mr Wynne will reconvene the Ministerial Advisory Committee to
look at renewing Plan Melbourne to give a long-term vision for housing Victoria's growing
population, increasing jobs and liveability, integrating public transport and infrastructure and
deal with climate change. It is anticipated that many elements of Plan Melbourne would
remain, such as simplifying residential zones and concentrating development along rail lines.
Complementary to the residential areas protected by predominantly mandatory height
controls in our new residential zones, our activity centres are anticipated to accommodate
the balance of growth with higher density development.
Activity Centres Strategy
The Strategy builds on the Activity Areas Economic Analysis (2013) and will provide the
strategic context for potential future structure plans. Structure planning for activity centres
has been completed for a number of key centres and is currently being progressed for the
Glenferrie Road and High Street Centre (Activity Centre) and Hawksburn Village
(Neighbourhood Activity Centre). The Activity Centres Strategy will include an overarching
plan for the balance of Council's activity centres and will focus in greater detail on the
neighbourhood and local centres.

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The Strategy will set out a 20-30 year strategic framework for the future capacity for growth
as well as identifying the future economic, social and community role of individual activity
centres. The Strategy will focus on the importance of improving the public realm with
landscaping and other streetscape works, and enhancing walking and cycling access.
The Activity Centres Strategy will address the following issues in activity centres:
• The role of neighbourhood and local activity centres.
• Enhancing the economic role of activity centres.
• Defining the social role of activity centres.
• Improving the environment and amenity of activity centres.
• Improving the accessibility of activity centres.
• Defining the boundary of activity centres.
The Strategy will assist Council in comprehensively planning for our activity centres and will
assist in prioritising actions to be implemented by various Departments across Council.
In December 2014 Echelon Planning were appointed to prepare the Activity Centres Strategy
for Stonnington. Sub consultants in economics (Essential Economics), transport (Cameron
Martyn), social planning (Public Place) and urban design (Alexander Urbanism) have also
been appointed to input into the preparation of the Strategy.
A number of key analyses and outputs are required from this project including:
• Opportunities and constraints analysis (current)
• Draft Activity Centres Strategy
• Final Activity Centres Strategy (including an implementation program)
DISCUSSION
Echelon Planning have reviewed the broader economic context and role of our activity
centres, the existing hierarchy and the broader and detailed opportunities and constraints in
our Neighbourhood activity centres.
Activity Centre Hierarchy (Existing)
Council's existing activity centre hierarchy aligns with the previous metropolitan planning
strategy Melbourne 2030. The hierarchy of Principal, Major, Neighbourhood (Large),
Neighbourhood (Small) and Mixed Use Area is identified in Council's Municipal Strategic
Statement in the Stonnington Planning Scheme (refer Attachment 1).
Plan Melbourne simplifies the hierarchy with Stonnington now containing Activity Centres
(previous Principal and Major centres) and Neighbourhood Centres (previous neighbourhood
and local centres). It also identifies Urban Renewal areas in Forrest Hill, South Yarra and
Caulfield (which falls predominantly within the City of Glen Eira).
Neighbourhood Activity Centres
Plan Melbourne identifies that the role of Neighbourhood activity centres is to:
Provide neighbourhood access to local goods, services and employment opportunities.
Planning in these locations will help to deliver 20-minute neighbourhoods across Melbourne.
A key vision of Plan Melbourne is to create a city of 20 minute neighbourhoods where people
can access a range of services within 20 minutes from home. The potential range of services
include shops, cafes, restaurants, early-years centres, primary and secondary schools, parks
and sporting fields, medical facilities and public transport.

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In addition to a mix of uses, Plan Melbourne supports mandatory controls for Neighbourhood
centres where there exists unique heritage character to protect heritage buildings or access
to open space.
Stonnington's Neighbourhood Activity Centres
Stonnington's Neighbourhood centres vary greatly in terms of overall size, role and function.
Two Neighbourhood centres, Tooronga Road-Malvern Road (Malvern Village) and Waverley
Road-Darling Road (East Malvern Terminus), have a greater mix of uses more closely fitting
the desired neighbourhood role. The uses in these centres include fresh food retailers,
convenience retailing and services such as post office and banks.
Many Neighbourhood centres lack a supermarket or range of uses to meet basic day-today
needs of the surrounding community. Stonnington's neighbourhood centres do not currently
fit the model of a neighbourhood centre set out in Plan Melbourne as many of them serve a
more specialised commercial or retail role (such as antiques or home wares) and don't have
the mix of uses required.
All centres are located in a very well established urban environment that makes major short-
term increases to retail and commercial activity unlikely. A more incremental process of
change to the mix of uses and built form is anticipated in many of our centres except for
where there is a major catalyst for change such as the Malvern Rd-Burke Rd grade
separation project (Gardiner Village).
The limited range of uses in some centres means that local residents need to travel to other
larger centres in order to meet their basic retail and service needs which ultimately impacts
on the mode of travel used to get to different centres.
Activity Centre Hierarchy (Proposed)
A draft hierarchy of Stonnington's activity centres is proposed to align with Plan Melbourne.
The hierarchy includes Activity Centres at the highest order (Chapel St, Glenferrie Rd / High
St and Chadstone Shopping Centre).
Neighbourhood centres have been split into Neighbourhood Centre (total of four centres),
Neighbourhood Medium (two centres) and Neighbourhood Small (thirteen centres). Two
remaining centres (Enterprise) serve a specialised role not servicing a local community.
Neighbourhood Centres provide a comprehensive range of services, including a
supermarket, catering to everyday needs of the surrounding community. Neighbourhood
Medium contain a range of uses however lack a major supermarket. Neighbourhood Small
cater for only basic retail and service needs.
Refer to Attachment 2 for a map and table of the proposed Activity centre hierarchy.
Development Capacity
Echelon Planning has reviewed Stonnington's overall network of activity centres and has
conducted a detailed assessment of each of the neighbourhood activity centres to establish
their current role and potential future role as well as their capacity and development
opportunity.

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The capacity and development opportunity in the centres and neighbourhood context will
influence the proposed built form guidelines and nature of controls to best manage the
change to obtain the most appropriate outcome. It is anticipated that some of these controls
may be mandatory, as supported by Plan Melbourne, but will be dependent on the
development opportunities and individual context of each Neighbourhood activity centre.
The proposed activity centre boundaries for the Neighbourhood activity centres are closely
aligned with the existing Commercial zoning.
Transport
The Neighbourhood activity centres are well serviced by public transport infrastructure and
the local road network. The majority of working residents travel outside the municipality to
work and there is a high reliance on private cars for all trips, not just journeys to work.
Congestion on the road network impacts on the amenity and pedestrian and cyclist safety in
centres. There is a lack of connectivity across the local bicycle network and footpaths are
generally narrow, limiting commercial and social opportunities.
The following are some key objectives to address these issues and opportunities:
• A high quality pedestrian priority network within 400m of activity centres. including clear,
well-lit, accessible pedestrian pathways and effective wayfinding.
• Facilities are accessible, and designed to service the broadest community catchment by
being inclusive. There exists a potential conflict between legislative requirements and
operation and benefit to traders.
• Prioritise road user safety. Through measures such as 40kph speed limits, discouraging
through traffic on residential streets and providing pedestrian crossing points within
neighbourhood activity Centres.
• To promote sustainable modes of transport through the potential reduction of car parking
rates for new development.
• Maximise the use of existing car parking facilities and minimising parking spill-over into
residential areas.
• Rationalise on-street car parking spaces for improved amenity and potential social
spaces for seating or landscaping.
• Encourage alternative options such as car sharing where viable.
Urban Design
Well designed Neighbourhood activity centres are more likely to attract visitation and thereby
play a stronger social and economic role in the local community. The urban design of centres
comprises both the public spaces and private buildings. Many of the centres have narrow
footpaths which limit the ability to incorporate landscaping and street furniture. Consideration
also needs to be given to the compatibility of a mix of uses and management of amenity
impacts from new uses and development.
The following are some key objectives identified:
• Increased and larger street tree planting where possible.
• Raised street thresholds at pedestrian crossing points on side streets.
• Extended verandahs to cover the length of an activity centre frontage.
• More public art to provide a point of distinction between centres.
• Reduction and better presentation of signage to remove clutter.
• Improved and the creation of new gathering spaces at the junction of side streets for
social interaction.
• Improved pedestrian street lighting for safety.
• More street furniture such as seating, drinking fountains and planter boxes.

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• Removal of overhead electrical wiring by aerial bundle cabling or undergrounding.
Centre Specific Opportunities and Constraints
Site assessments have been conducted for the neighbourhood activity centres. These
assessments have identified opportunities and constraints for each centre. Refer to
Attachment 3 for a summary of the centre assessments undertaken.
Next Steps
It is proposed that Council consult with the community and key stakeholders in two stages –
on the opportunities and constraints, and the Draft Strategy.
The Neighbourhood activity centres have been grouped by Ward and the detailed
opportunities and constraints within these centres have been discussed at meetings with
Councillors. Any further feedback will be presented at Briefing.
Opportunities and constraints will be used to form the basis of the first stage of consultation.
Consultation on the proposed activity centre hierarchy, opportunities and constraints, activity
centre boundaries and development capacity will allow early consideration and confirmation
to accurately and appropriately inform the more detailed preparation of a Draft Strategy.
Stage 1 Consultation – Opportunities and Constraints
Consultation with the community, traders, land owners and key stakeholders may include
information sessions, workshops and targeted meetings.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
There is substantial policy basis for the Activity Centres Strategy, locally and through Plan
Melbourne and the Planning Scheme. Refer to Attachment 4 for the relevant Stonnington
and State Government policies.
FINANCIAL AND RESOURCES IMPLICATIONS
A provision of $300,000 in 2014/15 and $350,000 in 2015/16 is included in the Capital
Budget for prioritising Structure Planning for Activity Centres.
CONCLUSION
Structure planning for activity centres has been completed for a number of key centres. The
Activity Centres Strategy will include an overarching plan for the balance of Council's activity
centres and will focus in greater detail on the Neighbourhood activity centres.
The Strategy will set out a 20-30 year strategic framework for the future capacity for growth
as well as identifying the economic, social and community role of individual activity centres.
In the context of Plan Melbourne and as part of the opportunities and constraints analysis a
new activity centre hierarchy is proposed.
A further report will be brought to Council to endorse the proposed activity centre hierarchy
and opportunities and constraints to form the basis of Stage 1 consultation.
HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATION
This recommendation complies with the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and
Responsibilities Act 2006.

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ATTACHMENTS
1. SF - Activity Centres Strategy – Opportunities and Constraints - Existing
Hierarchy - Attachment 1 of 4
Excluded
2. SF - Activity Centres Strategy – Opportunities and Constraints - Proposed
Hierarchy - Attachment 2 of 4
Excluded
3. SF - Activity Centres Strategy - Opportunities and Constraints - by centre -
Attachment 3 of 4
Excluded
4. SF - Activity Centres Strategy – Opportunities and Constraints - Policy
Implications - Attachment 4 of 4
Excluded
RECOMMENDATION
That Council:
1. Note the key opportunities and constraints and the proposed hierarchy for the
Activity Centres Strategy.
2. Authorise officers to use the key opportunities and constraints and the proposed
hierarchy to form the basis of Stage 1 consultation.

8. ATTACHMENT1

10. ATTACHMENT2

12. ATTACHMENT 3
Activity Centres Strategy
Opportunities and constraints by centre

13. PUNT ROAD WINDSOR
Opportunities and Constraints
• The location of the centre on the highly trafficked Punt Road creates an unwelcoming
environment on the street.
• Three food-based traders are location within the centre, along with some niche retailing
which includes a bike shop and specialist wine store.
• Large lot sizes and lack of heritage controls present an opportunity for redevelopment
and intensification.
• Development under construction on the corner of Peel Street (50 apartments over 9
storeys).
• Investigate potential pedestrian space in Henry Street.
• Sensitive interfaces to the east with low scale residential.
• Car parking issues.

16. PRAHRAN EAST VILLAGE
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre has a vibrant atmosphere with active shopfronts along both sides of High
Street in the west of the centre.
• The centre contains a range of basic convenience retailing including a café, pharmacy
and dry cleaners located in the western part of the centre.
• A range of homewares traders are located in the east including rugs, boutique furniture,
appliances, tile store and large pet store.
• Office tenants and consultancies are located in shopfronts and above shops which are
co-located with the surrounding speciality homewares retailers.
• Opportunity to strengthen neighbourhood uses in the western end by supporting food,
beverage and local services.
• Opportunity to create a through-block link on the northern side between Williams Rd and
Joyce St. Investigate potential shared space.
• Investigate potential pedestrian space in Joyce Street.
• Improve links to public space at Victoria Gardens.
• Improve mid-block pedestrian crossing. Consider whether Chatsworth could be a
combined pedestrian crossing and signalised intersection to aid car movement in and
out of Chatsworth Rd.

19. BEATTY AVENUE
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre has a low profile given its location away from the main road. It's location
benefits from being next to the Toorak train station.
• The centre appears to be trading strongly with a café, boutique fashion store, home
furnishings and food-based convenience retail.
• Small lot sizes and heritage controls restrict redevelopment potential.
• The former squash courts have a permit for redevelopment.
• Development at 590 Orrong Road containing approximately 460 dwellings will support
the ongoing vibrancy of the centre.
• Existing layout of the centre caters for pedestrian and cycle access, linked to the train
station.
• Opportunity exists for increased pedestrian activity and priority through extended raised
table treatment around intersection of Rose St and Beatty Avenue.
• Sensitive work to the footpath (unique/ boutique area). Potential for seating and artwork.
• Ensure raised beds are retained.
• Potential to upgrade fencing fronting Beatty Avenue – Liaise with VicTrack.

22. PRAHRAN EAST VILLAGE
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre has a vibrant atmosphere with active shopfronts along both sides of High
Street in the west of the centre.
• The centre contains a range of basic convenience retailing including a café, pharmacy
and dry cleaners located in the western part of the centre.
• A range of homewares traders are located in the east including rugs, boutique furniture,
appliances, tile store and large pet store.
• Office tenants and consultancies are located in shopfronts and above shops which are
co-located with the surrounding speciality homewares retailers.
• Opportunity to strengthen neighbourhood uses in the western end by supporting food,
beverage and local services.
• Opportunity to create a through-block link on the northern side between Williams Rd and
Joyce St.
• Investigate potential pedestrian space in Joyce Street.
• Improve links to public space at Victoria Gardens.
• Improve mid-block pedestrian crossing.

25. GLENFERRIE RD – MALVERN RD (MALVERN HILL VILLAGE)
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre extends only a short distance (less than 100m) from the major intersection.
• A basic retail offer is provided including a pharmacy, bakery, cafe, chicken take away
and Coles Express (part of the petrol station).
• The pub on the corner is a significant activity generator. This is protected by a Heritage
Overlay.
• Two large office buildings comprise of approximately 3,500sqm of floorspace.
• Most buildings in the centre are tenanted and the office buildings are fully occupied and
well-maintained. For this reason, short-term major redevelopment in the centre is
considered unlikely.
• Consider linemarking and surface treatments to make the tram stops on Glenferrie Rd
and Malvern Rd safer.
• Consider removal of the pedestrian fences or other options to improve safety near the
tram stop.
• The petrol station is important as there are not many locally.

28. GLENFERRIE RD TOORAK (KOOYONG VILLAGE)
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre is small and vibrant with no vacant tenancies.
• The centre contains a basic range of uses including a florist, milk bar, takeaway food,
chicken shop, pharmacy, newsagent, restaurant and hairdresser.
• Located on a highly trafficked main road and road/ railway junction.
• Redevelopment in the centre is limited by the presence of the Heritage Overlay and
relatively small lot sizes that make site consolidation difficult.
• Investigate the potential to create a pedestrian space between Warra Street and the rail
line. Potential shared space.
• Improve signage and access to Yarra Trail cycle path (300m to the north).
• Consider linemarking and surface treatments to make the tram stops and pedestrian
crossing safer and more visible.
• Footpath is narrow on Warra Street.
• Traffic issues at Monaro Road intersection.

31. TOORONGA ROAD – MALVERN ROAD (MALVERN VILLAGE)
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre is one of the largest extending 900 metres along Malvern Road.
• The highest concentration of neighbourhood-type uses are concentrated in the eastern
half of the centre.
• The western (Mixed Use zone) end has larger lots which present an opportunity for
redevelopment and intensification.
• It is a vibrant centre with high levels of pedestrian traffic despite a lack of a supermarket.
• The centre contains a limited range of food retail traders.
• The centre has significant potential to improve on its diversity of neighbourhood level
facilities.
• New development to respect heritage character in the eastern end of the centre.
• Investigate potential pedestrian space at the corner of Cawkwell St and Malvern Rd.
• Due to the length of the centre, provide additional pedestrian crossing opportunities
incorporated with tram stops.
• Consider line marking, threshold and surface treatments to delineate and make tram
stops on Malvern Road safer.
• Consider introducing recycling facilities.
• Review laneway access for apartment buildings.
• Consider additional facilities for cyclists.

34. TOORONGA ROAD – HIGH ST (HIGH ON TOORONGA)
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre includes a mix of neighbourhood uses including a coffee shop, pharmacy,
chicken shop, bottle shop, video, pizza and florist.
• A limited range of specialist traders are located in the centre including furniture, golf and
homewares. The centre however does not have a defined specialised role.
• Multi unit development is currently under construction in the centre.
• The lack of heritage controls and older building stock means that redevelopment
opportunities exist throughout the centre.
• Larger lot sizes in the north-west and south-east may support more intensive
development.
• There exists for opportunity for a small supermarket.
• Investigate the potential for a pedestrian space in Horace Street at High Street.
• Opportunity for an improved crossing point near Dixon Street and High Street tram stop.
• Consider removal of pedestrian fences.
• Consider options to lower traffic speeds and rebalance priority in centre, such as traffic
calming incorporated into tram stops and pedestrian crossings.
• Car parking overspill from the gym is an issue.
• Jordan / Horace St used as a rat run for car traffic.

37. WATTLETREE VILLAGE
Opportunities and Constraints
• Neighbourhood uses are primarily concentrated east of Tooronga Rd and include a
pharmacy, takeaway food, post office, café and restaurant. No fresh food traders are
present in the centre.
• The western end of the centre is dominated by commercial office and a large self
storage warehouse.
• Shops east of Tooronga include a high proportion of professional consulting rooms and
commercial tenants operating side-by-side with traders meeting local resident needs.
• The proximity of this centre to the larger Glenferrie Rd, Malvern Central and Caulfield
mean that this centre is better suited to its current role of office, medical and commercial
functions.
• Improve north south pedestrian accessibility by incorporating crossings with tram stops.
• Improve pedestrian safety.
• Guidelines for development are needed if the storage facility site is redeveloped.

40. BURKE RD – WATTLETREE RD (CENTRAL PARK VILLAGE)
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre includes fine grained shopfronts along Burke Rd and Wattletree Rd
incorporating primarily retail uses, while in the north of the centre on Burke Rd there is a
large office building.
• For visitors the centre presents attractively with a good quality streetscape and pleasant
outlook to Central Park.
• Cafes and restaurants with outdoor dining add to the overall sense of vibrancy.
• Tram terminus is located directly outside the shopfronts.
• The layout of the centre is disjointed with shopfronts facing on to four different
directions.
• Consider a redesign of the tram terminus to provide raised access to the trams, wider
waiting areas and easier access from the footpaths.
• Improve entrance point and links/ interface between Central Park and the centre.
• Footpaths adjacent to the tram stop are narrow.

43. HIGH ST GLEN IRIS (GLEN IRIS VILLAGE)
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre contains a large provision of office floorspace including dedicated office
buildings and some selected smaller officer suites.
• Traders in the centre benefit from exposure to high levels of passing trade.
• The Heritage Overlay on both sides of High St will limit development potential.
• Large parcels of land in the Industrial zone present as an opportunity for redevelopment
for employment purposes.
• Consider the potential for a pedestrian space at the junction of the shops and entrance
to the train station on High Street.
• The centre is very well located in relation to access to all forms of transport (trams, train,
bus, Freeway).
• A grade separation project could be a key stimulator for change (NB: it has not been
identified as a grade separation project to be prioritised)
• Development capacity is limited due to issues around traffic movement and circulation.
• Fire station a key operator in the centre.

46. MALVERN RD – DARLING RD (DARLING VILLAGE)
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre includes a highly diverse mix of business uses including personal and
business services rather than corporate tenants. Other uses include a 7/11 convenience
store, bakery, takeaway food and café.
• The presence of large individual sites and no heritage controls means that significant
opportunities for development exist in the centre.
• The centre is orientated around a three-way junction with close proximity to Darling train
station.
• Opportunity exists to strengthen the neighbourhood role of the centre through the
investment of a convenience supermarket.
• Improve pedestrian safety and connectivity with Darling Station via Illowa Street.
• Extend cycle provision through the centre on Malvern Rd.
• Improve direct access and wayfinding to Dorothy Laver reserve via Moira St/ Dunlop St
and via pedestrian bridge from Darling Station.
• Potential to improve pedestrian crossing safety.
• Consider cycling access from Allenby Ave / Hedgley Dene.

49. WAVERLEY RD – DARLING RD (EAST MALVERN TERMINUS)
Opportunities and Constraints
• This centre is a compact strip with small lots.
• The centre has a very strong local retail mix of neighbourhood uses including a
convenience store, pharmacies, bakery, butcher, takeaway food and personal services.
Other uses include a bank, dentist and vet clinic.
• The presence of fresh food traders such as a butcher, bakery and deli suggest that the
overall levels of sales and visitation in the centre are strong.
• Due to the established built form, small lot sizes and Heritage Overlay the opportunities
for growth are limited.
• Consider a redesign of the tram terminus and the surrounding street to provide raised
access to the trams, wider waiting areas and easier access from the footpaths.
• Investigate the potential to create a pedestrian space at the junction with Fisher Street.
• Consider moving the terminus further east closer to the train station.
• Need to test the name of the centre.

52. WAVERLEY RD – MALVERN RD (EAST MALVERN VILLAGE)
Opportunities and Constraints
• A diverse mix of uses occupy the centre including offices and agriculatural supply store.
• The centre is characterised by low quality building stock and a lack of heritage
constraints.
• Many shopfront tenancies are used as office space, with retail tenants located
sporadically throughout the centre.
• The IGA express store (300sqm) is a key attractor to the centre for basic convenience
grocery retailing although the layout of the centre means that the store integrates poorly
with other traders.
• Potential redevelopment of the former Dairy Bell manufacturing site may represent a
significant intensification of the centre.
• Some incremental change is expected over time, potentially including shop-top housing.
• Consider removal of pedestrian fences.
• Consider the installation of a single stage crossing of Waverley Rd at the intersection.
• Improve wayfinding signage to cycle paths and the nearby train station.
• Entrance gate to the park doesn't align with the crossing.
• Poor connections between the park and facilities/ services (IGA) on the other side.
• Traffic conflict between cars moving and parking and cyclists on Waverley Rd.

55. MALVERN VALLEY
Opportunities and Constraints
• This centre reflects 1960's urban design with a service land and angle parking directly
fronting onto a strip of shops.
• The centre has no vacancies which reflects the ability of the centre to serve a basic
service role for the surrounding community combined with exposure due to passing
trade.
• The uses include a milk bar, takeaway food, a bottleshop and petrol station to the south.
• The community centre to the rear has limited integration with the balance of the centre.
• Opportunities to enhance the neighbourhood service role is limited. It is considered
more appropriate to retain the ongoing function of the centre.
• Provide safe pedestrian pathways between centre and bus stops on Chadstone Road.
• Improve pedestrian connections to Percy Trevaud park/ open space.
• Pedestrian crossing in the north has a steep surface.
• Pedestrians cross in the south at Fenwick Street to access the park then continue on to
Chadstone Shopping Centre.
• Need better permeability of shops to increase awareness that they are open.

58. BATESFORD RD
Opportunities and Constraints
• This centre is small, opposite Holmesglen TAFE, containing a McDonalds and other
non-retail shopfront businesses.
• The strip of shops, Mathew Flinders Hotel and homewares retailer, located on the other
side of Warrigal Rd, in Monash City Council, have a limited functional relationship with
the Batesford centre.
• This centre lacks the facilities to service the needs of local residents and instead relies
on the exposure to passing trade on Warrigal Rd.
• Pedestrian crossing issues between Holmesglen Tafe and the McDonalds.
• Need to consider this centre in the context of the shops in Monash City Council on the
other side of Warrigal Rd.

61. WARRIGAL RD – WAVERLEY RD
Opportunities and Constraints
• The centre contains a range of uses including Red Rooster fast food, Pancake Parlour,
takeaway pizza, martial arts and an antiques store. In a function sense the centre lacks
a genuine neighbourhood level service role.
• The centre services a passing trade and relies on visitation from a broad geographic
area.
• Improve links and wayfinding to car parking capacity at southern extend of centre.
• Improve signage directions to Peverill St car park.
• Consider the linking crossing over freeway from Shrewsbury Street.
• Intersection crossing over Warrigal Rd not well used by pedestrians.
• Need to consider this centre in the context of shops in Monash City Council on the other
side of Warrigal Rd.

63. • Thi

64. POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Council policy
Key policies that relate to activity centre planning include:
• Building Prosperity Economic Development Strategy 2012–2016.
• Municipal Strategic Statement and Local Planning Policy.
• New residential and commercial zones:
Stonnington's new residential zones (Amendment 187) were approved by the Minister for
Planning in June 2014. Amendment C187 represents a balanced planning outcome for
Stonnington where residential growth is directed to existing activity centres and areas close
to some main roads, public transport routes and railway stations.
• The Council Plan (2013-2017) including the following relevant objectives and strategies:
Community: A city where all people can be happy, healthy and safe and feel part of and
contribute to the community (objective).
- Continue to strengthen the quality and enhance the use of our facilities, amenities
and open space.
Prosperity: A prosperous community, recognised as a creative city, a premier visitor and
retail destination (objective).
- Develop long-term plans to ensure the sustainability of Stonnington’s activity centres.
- Advocate for access to increased public transport infrastructure to major activity
centres to enhance economic growth.
- Promote Stonnington as a premier retail and visitor destination.
- Improve the quality of Stonnington’s retail precincts to match the aspirations of being
a premier retail and visitor destination.
- Support the continued viability of the retail sector and other businesses to adapt to
changing macro-economic trends.
Liveability: Stonnington will be the most desirable place to work, live, and visit (objective).
- Balance the competing demands of maintaining residential amenity and population
growth through appropriate planning.
- Develop public space as desirable spaces for the community to gather, connect and
enjoy.
- Continue to improve, maintain and provide safe, accessible and attractive public
places and streets.
Plan Melbourne
Plan Melbourne identifies the role and designation of activity centres across Melbourne,
including those within Stonnington. Some of the key initiatives that influence the
development of structure plans include:
Direction 1.2 – Strengthen the Competitiveness of Melbourne's Employment Land
• With local governments, work with the relevant stakeholders in activity centres to
prepare structure plans for the diversification of activity centres that have the potential to
emerge as metropolitan activity centres (Initiative 1.2.3).
ATTACHMENT 4

65. Direction 1.5 – Plan for Jobs Closer to Where People Live
• Work with subregional groupings of relevant local governments to (Initiative 1.5.2):
- prepare or update structure plans and infrastructure plans (as required) for
metropolitan activity centres to accommodate significant growth
- update the planning provisions in and around metropolitan activity centres to ensure
they are investment-ready
- identify sequencing requirements (including infrastructure provision, connections and
public realm improvements).
• Support local governments to plan for their network of activity centres (Initiative 1.5.3).
Plan Melbourne - Neighbourhood Activity Centres
Direction 4.1 – Create a City of 20 Minute Neighbourhoods
• Support a network of vibrant Neighbourhood centres. Planning neighbourhood centres
that maintain their 'village character and feel, while enabling a mix of goods and
services (Initiative 4.1.1).
Direction 4.2 – Protect Melbourne and its Suburbs from Inappropriate Development
• Protect Melbourne's Neighbourhood centres, including provision for mandatory controls.
Where communities are seeking to protect the unique character of their centres (such as
by protecting heritage buildings or access to open space), they should be assisted in
determining the desired built form outcomes. Prepare and exhibit a planning scheme
amendment to introduce mandatory height controls for neighbourhood centres (Initiative
4.2.2).