Politics · Australia · 19 hrs ago
Whittlesea council opposes car-focused Mernda town centre plan
Whittlesea council opposes a plan for Mernda’s town centre in Melbourne’s outer north, next to the end of the Mernda train line.
The 24-hectare proposal includes shops, public space and 298 to 368 homes, with buildings up to 10 storeys.
It also includes 628 street-level car parks, which the council says would make the centre too dependent on cars.
Council officers say the site could hold between 777 and 1,450 homes, and argue the proposal falls short of state plans for more housing near train stations.
The council wants a more walkable centre with more homes and community facilities.
The proposal was submitted through a state process that bypasses the council and will go to Victoria’s planning minister for approval after the November state election.
The council has voted to write to the state government calling for the plan to be scrapped.
Whittlesea council will ask the Victorian government to reject a revised plan for Mernda town centre, saying it is too car-focused and provides too little housing.
The 24-hectare site is next to Mernda train station, at the corner of Plenty Road and Bridge Inn Road.
The proposal includes buildings up to 10 storeys, retail, public space and 298 to 368 homes, as well as 628 street-level car parks.
Council says its vision calls for more homes, community facilities, attractive streets and safe walking routes.
The proposal was submitted through a state development program and will go to the planning minister for approval after the November state election.
- Who
- The City of Whittlesea opposes the revised plan. The proposal was submitted by the landowner.
- What
- Council will write to the state government asking it to scrap the plan, which council says is too car-dominated and provides too little housing.
- When
- The article was published on November 7, 2026. The plan is to go to the planning minister after the November state election.
- Where
- Mernda town centre, next to the train station in Melbourne’s outer north.
- Why
- Council says the plan departs from its endorsed vision and underuses land intended for higher housing density near public transport.
City of Whittlesea
Landowner’s revised proposal
Housing
City of Whittlesea
Council says the plan’s 298 to 368 homes are not enough; council officers say 777 to 1,450 could fit.
Landowner’s revised proposal
The proposal includes between 298 and 368 homes, including some affordable housing.
Town-centre design
City of Whittlesea
Council wants a walkable centre with community facilities, attractive streets and safe pedestrian routes.
Landowner’s revised proposal
The plan describes Mernda Town Centre as a mixed-use, green and people-focused destination.
Retail and parking
City of Whittlesea
Council says the big-box-style retail and rows of car parks make the plan car-dominated.
Landowner’s revised proposal
The plan includes retail and 628 street-level car parks.
Council endorsed a vision for the Mernda town centre site.
The council-endorsed plan was amended.
ABC Australia reported that council would object to the revised plan.
The plan is expected to go to the planning minister for approval through the state development facilitation program.
- Site area
- 24 hectares
- Location
- Corner of Plenty Road and Bridge Inn Road, next to Mernda train station
- Proposed homes
- 298 to 368, including some affordable housing
- Street-level parking
- 628 spaces
- Council estimate of potential homes
- 777 to 1,450
- Building height
- Up to 10 storeys
What people are saying
The landowner's revised proposal moves significantly away from that vision.
isolated, car-centric, a glorified drive-through
It's effectively just producing a pretty ugly and inefficient suburban big box development next to a rail station, which is a real wasted opportunity.
Mernda Town Centre will be a vibrant, mixed use, green and people-focused destination,