The state government has announced another 25 train and tram zone precincts across Melbourne where it will concentrate housing redevelopment.
It aims to have 50 such activity centres near train stations and busy tram stops as it plans for 300,000 new homes over the next 25 years.
Focusing new housing around public transport has been shown to significantly reduce private vehicle use, and to boost active transport.
This will be amplified in Melbourne as so many bike routes already, or are planned to, connect to train stations, and many bike routes share roads with busy tram routes.
The ten major activity centres already announced will be planned for active transport, as will the new activity centres being developed around the future suburban rail loop stations.
While not all of the train and tram zones have attractive bike connections, the first precincts to roll out will be in the inner city where there are good links.
Further out, the vision for train and tram zones is “gentle density”, with more multi-storey residential buildings in the immediate “core” at the station or tram corridor, with gentler, scaled height limits and more low-rise apartments and townhouses alongside existing houses in the surrounding walkable catchments.
Much of the bike planning by state and local government in recent decades has highlighted these precincts for better bike infrastructure, although much remains unbuilt. With the housing imperative driving change, it is time to brush off and update these bike plans.
25 new train & tram activity centres
Sunbury to Cranbourne–Pakenham line using the Metro Tunnel
- Springvale Station
- Noble Park Station
- Yarraman Station
- Dandenong Station
Sandringham Line
- South Yarra Station
- Prahran Station
- Windsor Station
- Elsternwick Station
Frankston Line
- Caulfield Station
- Glen Huntly Station
- Ormond Station
- Bentleigh Station
- Mentone Station
Glen Waverley Line
- East Malvern Station
- Holmesglen Station
Alamein Line
- Ashburton Station
- Riversdale and Willison Stations
Mernda and Hurstbridge Lines
- Heidelberg Station
Upfield Line
- Brunswick Station
- Coburg Station
Inner Melbourne
- Melbourne
Inner Melbourne
- Yarra
Route 48 and 109 trams
- Kew Junction
Route 11 tram
- St Georges Road (Thornbury)
High Street (Thornbury)
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