Politics

Victoria Loosens Planning Rules to Boost Apartments Near Melbourne Train Stations

Residents in suburbs along the Metro Tunnel and existing rail corridors will face altered planning rules that permit more apartments close to stations.

By Melbourne Policy Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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The Victorian government has amended planning regulations to permit higher residential density within 800 metres of selected train stations, directly affecting suburbs including Brunswick, Footscray and Richmond.

The changes arrive ahead of the next state election cycle and coincide with completion of major infrastructure such as the Metro Tunnel, which is scheduled to open sections in 2025, and ongoing work on the West Gate Tunnel project.

For Melbourne households this means developers can now lodge applications for buildings up to six storeys in zones previously limited to three, potentially adding rental units near existing public transport while altering streetscapes in established neighbourhoods.

Daily costs and services for local households

Policy analysts note that increased supply near rail lines could moderate rents in inner northern and western suburbs, where median weekly rents for two-bedroom units already exceed $550 according to state rental data. Local advocates point out that construction activity tied to the CFMEU workforce on these sites may also sustain short-term employment for tradespeople living in the same postcodes.

The legislation states that councils must assess applications against new density targets rather than previous neighbourhood character overlays, shifting the balance toward approvals for apartment projects that meet height and setback standards.

Next steps in implementation

Local government planning officers are expected to begin processing applications under the revised rules from August 2026, with the first decisions projected to reach VCAT by early 2027. The government says the policy will deliver an additional 15,000 dwellings across Melbourne's rail corridors by 2030, based on modelling contained in the 2025 state budget papers.

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