Victorian Government Introduces New Planning Controls for Camberwell Junction

The Victorian Government introduced new planning controls for Camberwell Junction Activity Centre and the surrounding area on 11 April 2025. These controls cover built form standards in the commercial core and apply a new residential zone to the catchment around the centre.

Built form and housing zone changes

The updates matter now because they directly shape what can be built in Camberwell Junction and its immediate residential edges. Property owners and residents in the area need to know how applications will be assessed under the new rules rather than previous local processes.

The Built Form Overlay applies height and setback controls to the commercial core that align closely with the Camberwell Junction Structure and Place Plan previously adopted by council. A deemed-to-comply pathway removes third-party notice and review rights for projects that meet specified building heights, street wall heights and setbacks. Projects that fall outside those standards follow the usual planning application route.

The Housing Choice and Transport Zone covers the residential catchment. It sets different height limits depending on lot size and frontage. In Zone 1, sites under 1000 square metres can reach 13.5 metres or four storeys, while larger sites meeting the 20-metre frontage minimum can go to 21.5 metres or six storeys. Zone 2 allows 11 metres or three storeys on smaller sites and 13.5 metres or four storeys on qualifying larger sites.

Council briefings and next steps for residents

Councillors received reports on the state government’s plans at meetings held on 2 September 2025 and 7 October 2025. Some properties inside the centre have also been rezoned to the Residential Growth Zone or Commercial 1 Zone. The Camberwell Junction Activity Centre Plan and the council-adopted Camberwell Junction Structure and Place Plan from March 2024 are now listed as background documents in the Boroondara Planning Scheme.

Residents and landowners can download the council reports from the Boroondara website to see the exact boundaries and controls. The source material is available at https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/services/planning-and-building/planning/planning-scheme-and-amendments/victorian-government-planning-initiatives/victorian-government-changes-planning/activity-centre-updates-camberwell-junction. People considering a development application should check whether their site falls inside the core area or the new residential zone before lodging plans.