Coalition targets Labor's activity centres as Victoria election flashpoint
The Coalition plans to scrap Labor's 60 activity centres that allow tall buildings around train and tram stops.
Labor has zoned 60 areas across Melbourne. These allow apartment towers of up to 20 storeys around train and tram stops.
The Coalition says scrapping these activity centres will restore local planning power. Housing experts warn that removing them would erase 300,000 homes from long-term supply.
This would push young Victorians out of established suburbs. The Grattan Institute says Melbourne's planning reforms have kept housing costs lower than other capitals.
Labor's townhouse and low-rise code allows multiple homes on a single suburban block. Other states are now looking to adopt this policy.
The Coalition says it will speed up greenfield growth in outer suburbs. It will also expand high-rise zones in inner-city areas.
But it has not agreed to keep the townhouse code. It has not set its own housing target either.
- 60 areas zoned for tall buildings
- Activity centres
- 300,000 from long-term supply
- Homes at risk if scrapped
- November 2026
- Election timing
Why it mattersThe outcome will determine if young Victorians can afford to live in middle and inner suburbs. Otherwise they face a choice between the fringe and leaving the state.
AustraliaVictoria's housing affordability is the cheapest among major Australian capitals; this election will determine if that advantage grows or shrinks.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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