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Train and tram zone activity centres

We’re planning for more homes close to public transport, jobs and services in 60 activity centres across Melbourne.

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We want to provide all Victorians with the choice of a well-designed home, at an affordable price, in a place where they can thrive. That’s why we’re planning for more homes in and around 60 train and tram zones across Melbourne, encouraging capacity for 300,000 new homes to be built around train and tram lines, jobs and services by 2051.

By planning for more housing in activity centres, we’re supporting more Victorians to live closer to jobs, services, public transport and green, open space. It’s part of the Housing Statement, to deliver more homes for more Victorians, in the places people want to live.

Expanding the activity centres program

In 2025, we’re expanding the Activity Centres Program to include another 50 train and tram zones where there is good access to public transport, jobs and services.

The locations of the activity centres have been chosen based on an analysis of transport capacity, market viability, access to jobs and services, and environmental considerations.

These 50 train and tram zones, together with the pilot centres, will provide capacity for 300,000 additional homes by 2051, giving more Victorians the choice of a home that’s close to public transport.

The expanded 50 train and tram zones are located close to stations that will benefit from the Metro Tunnel and well-serviced train and tram lines.

Map depicting Activity Centres across Melbourne.

Announced in October 2024

Sunbury to Cranbourne-Pakenham line using the Metro Tunnel

Belgrave/Lilydale Line

Frankston Line

Sandringham Line

Glen Waverley Line

Announced in February 2025

Sunbury to Cranbourne-Pakenham line using the Metro Tunnel

Sandringham Line

Frankston Line

Glen Waverley Line

Alamein Line

Route 11 tram

Mernda and Hurstbridge Lines

Upfield Line

Inner Melbourne*

Inner Melbourne*

Route 48 and 109 trams

*The program includes a cluster of inner city suburbs where, in collaboration with local government, we will identify specific opportunities for strategic redevelopment sites.

More about the Activity Centres Program

Activity centre planning is about building more opportunities and better communities by setting clear expectations for long-term growth, giving the community a say early and streamlining planning to unblock home building. Through this program of new activity centres, the vision is for taller buildings in the immediate ‘core’ where the train station and built-up commercial centre is located.

In areas where the train station is very residential, the core could be very small, with more modest height limits compared to larger stations. In the walkable ‘catchments’ up to 800 metres surrounding the core, the vision is for gentler, scaled height limits and more low-rise apartments and townhouses alongside existing homes.

The change in these catchments will be sensitive and incremental, occurring over time.

Heritage and landscape overlays will stay in place, and how it works in every community will be designed in consultation with locals.

Consulting on the next activity centres

Throughout 2025 and 2026, we will be working with local communities, councils and stakeholders to better understand how we can improve access to housing while enhancing the things that make these centres great places to live.

This will involve two phases of public consultation, as well as Community Reference Groups (CRGs), which will deliberate on community feedback and provide input on the activity centre plans.

Phase 1 of community consultation has now closed for 25 activity centres. Phase 2 consultations for this group of activity centres will start later in 2025.

For the final group of activity centres, this will begin in late 2025.

Learn more

To learn more about the Activity Centre Program and the ways you can get involved, please visit Engage Victoria.

Updated 21 July 2025

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