Help us shape the future of Fitzroy and Collingwood.

We're in the process of introducing built form and design requirements for private development in parts of Fitzroy and Collingwood.

There are currently no permanent requirements to guide growth and new development in these areas. This is your opportunity to help shape the way growth and development happens in your neighbourhood.

What are the proposed changes?

We are proposing to introduce requirements that would cover things like building heights, building design and how far developments must be set back from the road. These requirements would be introduced into the Yarra Planning Scheme through Design and Development Overlays (DDOs).

A Design and Development Overlay (DDO) is a planning tool that is applied to areas such as shopping strips and old industrial areas that need specific requirements to guide the built form and design of new development. Find out more about DDOs and the types of controls they include.

We want your feedback on the proposed DDOs to help decide whether they become permanent controls and how they will be implemented. We will then begin the process of introducing the DDOs into the Yarra Planning Scheme, which will include an opportunity for community members to provide further comments on the proposal.

The DDOs will be submitted to the Minister for Planning for approval via a Planning Scheme Amendment. Ultimately, the Minister will determine if the DDOs should be incorporated into the Yarra Planning Scheme, with or without changes. Find out more about the Planning Scheme Amendment process.

Why are we introducing these changes?

Before 2021, there was limited guidance for development in Fitzroy and Collingwood. In particular, there were no area-specific requirements on:

  • building heights
  • street wall heights
  • upper level setback, which is how far higher levels should be distanced from the street or backyards

That is why we prepared temporary Design and Development Overlays (interim DDOs) for the area to guide development from 2019 to 2021. Some of these interim DDOs were approved by the Minister for Planning with changes and some have not been approved. The interim DDOs will help us guide development while we go through the process of introducing permanent changes.

  • ​Why does there have to be growth and development?

    An additional 1.6 million new homes and 1.5 million new jobs will need to be created throughout Melbourne by 2050.

    Find out more 

  • What is a Design Development Overlay?

    A Design and Development Overlay is a planning tool that guides the built form and design of new development.

    Find out more 

  • What are the DDOs proposing?

    The DDOs aim to ensure any future changes to the area respond to the predominant character of each street.

    Find out more 

  • What is a Planning Scheme Amendment?

    A planning scheme sets out how land can be used, developed, protected or conserved.

    Find out more 

  • What are the interim planning controls?

    Interim planning controls have been in place since 2019.

    Find out more 

What area does this project cover?

The coloured areas on the map below show the area of each interim DDO. You can click on the dots to see a short summary of each interim DDO.

In addition to each summary, each DDO ensures that the higher the levels of new development are, the further they must be pushed away from traditional, low houses and backyards to minimise their impact. Any new developments must not cause opposite footpaths to be overshadowed during the main part of the day (10am-2pm, from September to March). Each DDO includes requirements to ensure good façade design and pedestrian-friendly outcomes.