Camberwell Junction Planning Controls: Background to Recent State Government Changes

The Victorian Government introduced new planning controls for the Camberwell Junction Activity Centre on 11 April 2025, applying a Built Form Overlay and Housing Choice and Transport Zone that set height limits up to 21.5m, or six storeys.

Sequence of State and Local Actions

These controls followed years of tension over building heights in the area. One prominent case involved a 12-storey commercial and residential tower at 699 Burke Road in Camberwell Junction, which received final approval from the City of Boroondara after an eight-year dispute involving developers, residents and the council. The approval process highlighted ongoing differences between state-level planning directions and local preferences for lower-scale development.

Council Review Meetings and Concerns

Boroondara councillors received reports on the state government's Camberwell Junction plans during meetings held on 2 September 2025 and 7 October 2025. At these sessions the council recorded deep concern that claims of prior consultation with local authorities were inaccurate. The reports allowed councillors to examine the detail of the Built Form Overlay and the Housing Choice and Transport Zone before any further implementation steps.

Evidence from Dated Approvals and Limits

The documented height cap of 21.5m appears directly in the 11 April 2025 controls, while the eight-year timeline for the Burke Road tower provides a concrete measure of how long individual projects had been contested before the broader activity-centre rules were finalised. These dates and the specific storeys limit supply the measurable points that shaped the current framework.

Next Steps for Residents and Applicants

Future planning applications within the Camberwell Junction Activity Centre will be assessed against the April 2025 controls and the zones introduced at that time. Residents and developers can review the official planning scheme amendments through the City of Boroondara channels to understand how proposals align with the six-storey maximum and related requirements.