Amendment C123: Coburg Activity Centre Zone

About Amendment C123 and the Coburg Activity Centre Zone

Amendment C123 implements the land use and built form directions from the Central Coburg 2020 Structure Plan (2006) and Colours of Coburg Place Framework and Strategies (2010), the community framework of The Coburg Initiative, and Pentridge precinct masterplans. The amendment consolidates the planning controls that apply to the Coburg Principal Activity Centre.

Download the:

• Amendment C123 Information Sheet (DOC 2Mb)
• Amendment C123 Information Sheet (PDF 1Mb)

Significant features of the amendment include:

• Changes to the Local Planning Policy Framework to update references to the Coburg Activity Centre
• Introduction of a new Activity Centre Zone (ACZ) and schedule that will prescribe appropriate uses and built form controls
• Preferred maximum building, street wall height controls and setback requirements
• A mixture of uses, with an emphasis on retailing, offices, and higher-density living
• Provision of new roads, pedestrian links and key public spaces, and
• Overshadowing standards (minimum sunlight provision) to key public spaces.

The land affected by the amendment applies to most land within the Coburg Activity Centre, the boundary of which is defined in the Central Coburg 2020 Structure Plan (2006) and The Coburg Initiative, including the former Pentridge Prison precinct.

In addition the amendment introduced a new Parking Overlay to all land in a Mixed Use Zone, Residential Growth Zone, Commercial Zones and Activity Centre Zone. Column B parking rates now apply to all developments in activity centres (including neighbourhood centres).

The amendment also transfers Responsible Authority status for all land within the former Pentridge Prison back to Council.

The amendment also rectifies various anomalies in the Merri-bek Planning Scheme relating to:

• Clause 22.01 Neighbourhood Character - update to reflect changes made as a result of Amendment C153 - New Residential Zones.
• Clause 22.06 Heritage - an incorrect reference to the Municipal Strategic Statement has been removed.

Watch the Our Neighbourhood video to learn more about proposed changes to Merri-bek Planning Scheme.

Status update (15 October 2015)

On 25 September 2015 the Minister for Planning approved Amendment C123 (PDF 453Kb). Notice of the approved amendment was advertised in the Government Gazette on the 15 October 2015 which is when the changes were formally introduced into the Merri-bek Planning Scheme.

Further information

• C123 Officer Report to Council - 12 November 2014 (PDF 22Mb)
• C123 - Adopted Council Meeting Minutes (PDF 134Kb)

Independent Panel Report

• C123 Panel Report - 10 October 2014 (DOC 5Mb)

Expert Witness Reports for Planning Panels Victoria Hearing (July 2014)

• The Evolution of Coburg-Background Report (PDF 22Mb)
• Coburg Principle Activity Centre-Council Urban Design Strategy (PDF 14Mb)
• Coburg Activity Centre Zone-Expert Witness-Economic Analysis (PDF 2Mb)
• Statement of Expert Evidence: Urban Design (PDF 848Kb)
• Planning Peer Review and Evidence (PDF 3Mb) and A3 Key Event of Height Changes (PDF 111Kb)
• ESD Expert Witness Statement (PDF 15Mb)
• Transport Evidence Statement (PDF 2Mb)

Supporting documents

• Coburg Principal Activity Centre Built Form Rationale and Building Envelopes - Updated March 2014 (PDF 9Mb)
• Coburg 2020 Structure Plan
• Central Coburg 20/20 Structure Plan - Integrated Transport Strategy 2006 (PDF 5Mb)
• Central Coburg Activity Centre - Retail and Commercial Analysis (DOC 5Mb)
• TCI Aurecon Infrastructure Report - Revision 4 (November 2010) (PDF 12Mb)
• Waterfield Street Drainage Study - SKM - Sinclair Knight Merz (PDF 5Mb)
• The Coburg Initiative - Sense of Place Brochure (PDF 391Kb)

The Coburg Initiative: Baseline Research

• The Coburg Initiative: Baseline Research - Final draft (PDF 23Mb)
• The Coburg Initiative: Baseline Research - Final draft (PDF 6Mb)
• The Coburg Initiative: Baseline Research - Final draft (PDF 6Mb)

Pentridge Masterplans

• Pentridge Coburg Design Guidelines and Masterplan - February 2014 (PDF 21Mb)
• Pentridge Village Design Guidelines and Masterplan - August 2009 (PDF 4Mb)
• Conservation Management Plan (PDF 18Mb)