Plans & Developments
South Melbourne Central
Where is it and why is it important?
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.
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.
View over South Melbourne Central from Park Towers public housing building towards the city.
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.
South Melbourne Central precinctHow 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 Planning and Community Development’s website
A structure plan for the future - Amendment C52
The City of Port Phillip has taken a proactive approach to current development pressures and Melbourne 2030, by preparing the South Melbourne Structure Plan.
Council’s strategy to manage growth and change in the South Melbourne area resulted in the production of the following three key documents:
1. South Melbourne Central Background Report
2. South Melbourne Central Structure Plan and Implementation Strategy
3. South Melbourne Central Urban Design Framework
The South Melbourne Structure Plan was adopted by council in September 2004.
An amendment to the Port Phillip Planning Scheme (Amendment C52), which gave statutory effect to the Structure Plan and the recommendations of these key documents, was then prepared and publicly exhibited.
Following an independent panel process, which provided an opportunity for submissions to be considered, council adopted the amendment and sought Ministerial Approval of Amendment C52.
Amendment C52 was subsequently approved by the Minister for Planning, and came into operation on 24 April 2008, being the date the Notice of Approval was published in the Government Gazette.Victoria Government Gazette.
What Land is Affected?
Amendment C52 affects the area bounded by the Westgate Freeway, Kings Way, Park Street, and Ferrars Street - South Melbourne Central.
Amendment Documentation
Amendment C52 included a number of changes to the planning controls affecting land in the South Melbourne Central study area.
Statutory documentation includes:
C52 - List of Changes
C52 - Explanatory Report
C52 - Instruction Sheet
As full set of documentation is also available via the Department of Planning and Community Development website, Planning Scheme Amendments Online
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 6881 and ask for Strategic Planning.
