Moonee Valley Council Raises Height Limits, Tightens Design Rules August 1

Moonee Valley City Council voted last week to amend its planning scheme, allowing buildings up to five storeys on selected sites along Puckle Street and Holmes Road where three storeys had been the maximum.

The shift comes as housing applications in the area have risen 28 percent since January, driven by population growth and limited greenfield land. Council officers cited pressure on local infrastructure and the need to balance supply with neighbourhood character as reasons for acting now rather than waiting for state-level reviews.

Under the new controls, developments near Moonee Ponds Junction and the Clocktower Centre must incorporate ground-floor retail or community space and use materials that match existing brick and render palettes. The changes also apply to the Moonee Ponds Urban Renewal Program sites, where density bonuses will be available only if projects meet solar access and tree canopy targets set at 25 percent site coverage.

Density Increases Tied to Specific Corridors

Along Puckle Street between Mount Alexander Road and Pascoe Vale Road, the amendments permit plot ratios up to 2.5:1, up from 1.8:1. Properties within 200 metres of the junction can add an extra storey if they provide at least 10 percent affordable housing units. Data from the council’s March 2026 property register shows median unit prices in these streets reached $685,000, while detached houses averaged $1.35 million.

Similar adjustments apply to a 400-metre stretch of Holmes Road east of the railway line, where new applications will face mandatory design reviews by an independent panel before lodgement. The council’s planning department has scheduled two information sessions at the Clocktower Centre on 22 July and 5 August to explain the updated application process.

Next Steps for Property Owners and Buyers

Residents planning extensions or sales should contact the council’s planning counter before lodging documents, as pre-application meetings will now be required for any proposal exceeding four storeys. Buyers are advised to review the updated overlay maps on the council website and factor in potential delays of up to 12 weeks for design compliance checks. Council expects the first projects under the new rules to reach public exhibition by October.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.