Broadmeadows Activity Centre Plan Demands Three Critical Growth Decisions

The Victorian Government’s finalisation of the Broadmeadows Activity Centre Plan and the May 2024 planning approval for the Banksia Gardens development place concrete decisions about taller buildings near the train station and the delivery of around 120 new social homes directly ahead for the suburb.

These steps matter now because the suburb has been designated a priority area for revitalisation, with the Activity Centre Plan intended to shape growth across the next 10 to 30 years. The plan directs higher buildings in the core near the train station while requiring lower-rise apartments in surrounding catchment areas, creating immediate questions about how quickly and where new housing will be sited.

Supported projects already in motion

Broadmeadows is already advancing several linked initiatives. The Banksia Gardens project, once complete, is expected to create over 700 jobs. Separate major works include a $60 million redevelopment of the Kangan Institute, construction of a new Town Hall and delivery of the Meadowlink Shared Path. The draft Greater Broadmeadows framework plan also identifies transformation of the 60-hectare Meadowlink strategic priority area into a diverse 20-minute neighbourhood as a central renewal proposal.

Recent housing trends provide context for the scale of change ahead. The suburb averaged 156 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five years, with recent construction made up of 80 per cent medium and high-density housing and 20 per cent standalone homes.

Decisions still required on sequencing and design

Officials and the community must now determine how the Activity Centre Plan’s height and density rules will be applied in practice, how the Banksia Gardens homes will be integrated with the Meadowlink renewal area, and the order in which the Kangan Institute works, new Town Hall and shared path will proceed alongside the 120 social homes. These choices will shape the pace and character of growth in the activity centre core and surrounding streets over the coming decade.

Implementation will rely on coordination between the Victorian Government, local authorities and project partners to move from approved plans to construction while maintaining the mix of housing types already observed in recent approvals.