Mentone's New Plan Prioritizes Walking, Cycling, Public Transit Over Cars

The Victorian Government is seeking public feedback on the draft Mentone Activity Centre Structure Plan, a long-term framework that will guide building heights, land uses, and transport priorities around the Mentone station precinct. Part of the broader Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres Program, the plan explicitly prioritises walking, cycling, and public transport access, reflecting a policy push to reduce reliance on private vehicles in the activity centre [1][5].

Station Precinct at the Core

Mentone station serves as the area’s main public transport interchange, and the draft plan concentrates future development around the railway corridor. Recent infrastructure investments have already reshaped the station precinct, including the rebuilding of the station following the Balcombe Road grade separation project. That work removed a level crossing and concentrated bus facilities around the station, making it easier for residents to transfer between trains, buses, taxis, and active transport modes [2][4]. The plan’s transport framework builds on these upgrades by reinforcing the station as a multimodal hub, with a sizeable bus interchange and taxi rank designed to support walking and cycling connections [3].

What It Means for Daily Life

For Mentone residents, the plan’s emphasis on walking, cycling, and public transport access could shift how people move to and from the activity centre. The structure plan sets out specific boundaries and building heights intended to concentrate density within walking distance of the station, enabling more trips by foot or bike rather than car [1]. The bus interchange and taxi rank are already in place, but the plan seeks to improve the quality of connections between them and the station, making it more convenient for commuters to use public transport for daily errands [3]. The government says the plan aims to create a more walkable and cycle-friendly centre, which could reduce congestion on surrounding streets and lower household transport costs for those who can rely on transit [5].

Next Steps for Community Input

Consultation on the draft Mentone Activity Centre Structure Plan is currently open, with the government inviting residents, businesses, and community groups to review the proposals and submit feedback. The plan’s final form will depend on the outcomes of this consultation and subsequent approvals. The Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres Program, under which this plan is being developed, is a state government initiative that targets activity centres around key public transport hubs for coordinated planning [1]. The draft plan does not set a specific timeline for implementation, but the government says it will use community input to finalise building height controls and boundary definitions that will shape Mentone’s transport and land use for years to come.