New development guidelines have been set to ensure homes continue to be delivered in Melbourne without impacting one of its most iconic landmarks.
Victorian Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, has approved updated planning controls to protect the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens to keep views of the dome, sunny skies over the gardens, and preserve what makes the site special.
Subject to the zone, buildings can be up to four storeys around the UNESCO site – with higher heights allowed on selected parts on the south side of the site, closer to the CBD.
The Royal Exhibition Building was the first building in Australia to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status and remains the only UNESCO site in Melbourne.
Built for the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition, the Royal Exhibition Building remains a drawcard for major events like the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and the Melbourne Fashion Festival, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
By updating these controls, the State Government is providing certainty to council, developers and local communities about where more homes can be built while protecting the site’s heritage.
“We can deliver the homes Victoria needs while protecting what makes Melbourne great,” Kilkenny said.
“The Royal Exhibition Building was the first building in the country to be an UNESCO World Heritage and for good reason, that’s why we’re making sure we protect this iconic site for generations to come.”
