Theme 5: Quality design that builds on Cremorne’s precinct identity | Help design the future of Cremorne

Please note: The content below is based on the draft Cremorne Urban Design Framework (UDF) that was open for community feedback from Monday 7 November to Monday 12 December 2022. This may not be reflective of the revised UDF that was endorsed by Council at the Council Meeting on Tuesday 12 September 2023. A further round of consultation will occur early next year to finalise the UDF and exhibit the proposed permanent planning provisions. We will conduct this stage of consultation once we receive approval from the Victorian Government. This page will be updated at that time. Click here for more information.

The draft UDF fills a gap in the Yarra Planning Scheme and includes design controls to guide the redevelopment of commercial sites in Cremorne.

The new design controls manage the scale and design of new commercial development in the Cremorne West, Railway and Church Street Precincts.

Design controls

The UDF includes a package of proposed design controls, such as height limits and building setbacks.

The proposed controls support new high-quality office and commercial developments but makes sure they protect the amenity of residential areas.

They also ensure the development enhances the quality and character of Cremorne's streets and public spaces.

Maintaining Cremorne's heritage

The UDF showcases Cremorne's diverse heritage buildings including:

large industrial complexes
commercial pubs and shopfronts
rows of terraces.

While heritage places are already identified and protected in the Yarra Planning Scheme, the UDF will include specific design controls to guide new development on heritage sites and neighbouring sites.

Room to grow

The UDF identifies large strategic sites within Cremorne which are expected to undergo significant change.

It highlights Council's aspirations for these sites, covering issues such as heritage, new open space and through site connections.

To ensure this development moves in the best possible direction, the UDF also recommends further consultation with landowners and Heritage Victoria.

Click to view maps in full screen

Cremorne Proposed Built Form Requirements - Cremorne West and Railway Precincts

A map explaining the built form requirements proposed for the Cremorne West and Railway Precincts

Cremorne Proposed Built Form Requirements - Church Street Precinct

A map explaining the built form requirements in the Church Street Precinct

Cremorne Heritage Map

A map showcasing the heritage overlays in cremorne

The streets, footpaths and how buildings are designed at street level have the most significant impact on the quality of the street environment.

This is known as the public realm as it is the most visible part of the building.

New development should improve the public realm and contribute to a network of pedestrian friendly streets.

The design recommendations include requirements to prevent the overshadowing of key streets in Cremorne and mitigate wind impacts from new developments.

They will ensure the facades of buildings are interesting and encourage activity.

They will also provide recommendations on how far back buildings must be from the street on Cremorne Street and large sites to enhance the public realm.

Delivering sustainable office environments is integral if Cremorne is to continue to attract progressive businesses.

The design recommendations also seek to ensure buildings are well spaced and sited to provide equitable access to an outlook and good daylight.

Buildings should also incorporate adaptable design to allow more flexibility in how they're used.

New development must be responsive to its context including the neighbouring buildings, the character of the street and the broader Cremorne context.

The design recommendations guide the height and setbacks of new development.

The future built form will see taller mid-rise development on the precinct’s main spines and the core areas of the commercial precincts.

Heights are lower on narrow streets and transition down in height to existing residential areas.

This will affect the precincts in the following ways:

Cremorne West Precinct: Higher development along Cremorne Street (eight storeys) and Stephenson Street (nine storeys) with lower heights on narrow streetscapes (seven storeys) and next to low-rise residential areas (five storeys), stepping down to two storeys at the boundary.
Railway Precinct: Development of seven storeys transitioning to five storeys next to low-rise residential areas, stepping down to two storeys at the boundary.
Church Street Precinct: Higher development (ten storeys) along Church Street. Lower heights to side streets (seven storeys) reducing to five storeys next to low-rise residential areas, stepping down to two storeys at the boundary.

The design recommendations also make sure that buildings reduce in height close to low rise residential areas to minimise amenity impacts on surrounding areas, including overlooking, overshadowing and visual bulk.

Cremorne’s heritage buildings reflect its industrial and residential past.

Locally significant heritage places protected by the Yarra Planning Scheme include commercial pubs and shopfronts, former industrial buildings and rows of terraces.

The design recommendations (which apply to the sites and sites adjacent) ensure heritage buildings retain their prominence and provide an appropriate transition to the heritage building.

There are seven strategic sites within Cremorne which are expected to undergo change.

Built form controls have not been developed for these sites as part of the draft UDF, however design objectives to guide the redevelopment of the site have been developed.

They cover issues such as heritage, new open space and through site connections. Further consultation with landowners and Heritage Victoria is proposed.

Theme 5: Quality design which builds on Cremorne's precinct identity

Design controls

Maintaining Cremorne's heritage

Room to grow

Click to view maps in full screen

Contact us