What is proposed?

In the Brunswick Activity Centre, it is proposed to combine planning scheme zones and built form overlays into one planning tool, the Activity Centre Zone.

What is not changing?

Elements that will not change are:

  • How tall buildings should be
  • How far buildings should be from property boundaries
  • How much car parking buildings should have
  • The opportunity for community to have a say on planning applications.

In October 2021 we consulted the community

In October last year Council invited ideas from the community about how we could ensure the Brunswick Activity Centre is a vibrant area to live, work and play.

We heard from our business, professional, creative, institutional, not for profit and resident community members.

We have used this feedback to guide the changes we’re proposing…

Key proposed changes

You said…

The Brunswick Activity Centre is particularly suited to creative, health, medical, small to medium businesses, professional services and internet-based services.

We propose:

These types of businesses be encouraged in the Core Employment precinct and the Multi Use precinct.


You said…

Businesses such as trade supplies and big box retailers are more suitable in industrial areas as they attract heavy traffic.

We propose:

These types of businesses be encouraged in the Core Employment precinct.


You said…

Thinking about new businesses, commercial space should not just be used for cafes. More variety needs to be considered.

We propose:

New requirements to consider the lettability for a diversity of uses when designing commercial spaces to make them suitable for a range of uses and fit for purpose in the Multi Use precinct.


You said…

Some businesses may be suitable in certain areas such as music venues, but there is a tension between the needs of residents and the needs of music venues.

We propose:

Strengthen the existing requirements in the planning scheme which addresses noise interactions between residential and non-residential uses.


You said…

Thinking about what new businesses might need, consider flexible collaboration spaces and hubs for creative uses and manufacturing.

We propose:

Encourage affordable creative workspace and spaces for social enterprises in the Core Employment precinct and the Multi Use precinct.


You said…

Thinking about what new businesses might need, large concrete shells might be too expensive for tenants to fit out. These need to be designed with the needs of business in mind.

We propose:

New requirements for a partial fit out when designing commercial spaces, to make them suitable for a range of uses and fit for purpose in the Multi Use precinct.


You said...

The area should be a vibrant, creative hub that meets the needs of local residents and visitors to the area.

We propose:

A commercial floor space requirement. The requirement would provide a stronger encouragement to the market to deliver commercial floor space as part of redevelopment.


In earlier community engagement you said…

Sites without height guidance should have height controls.

We propose:

On some sites without height guidance now, building height requirements are proposed .