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Activity centres
Activity centres are vibrant places where people shop, work, access public transport, connect with family and friends, as well as live.
In Moonee Valley, we have vibrant network of activity centres, from larger active commercial areas that draw visitors from across multiple suburbs to small local shopping strips that support our daily needs.
Find out more about the Victorian Government's plans
On this page
Major activity centres
The Victorian Government is carrying out state-led planning in Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres .
Niddrie (Keilor Road) and Essendon were completed in the first stage of this program. No further locations in Moonee Valley have been announced. Visit our Victorian Government reforms page.
Neighbourhood activity centres
- Buckley Street, Essendon
- Centreway, East Keilor
- Dinah Parade, East Keilor
- Essendon Junction
- Maribyrnong/Epsom Road, Ascot Vale and Moonee Ponds
- Mascoma Street, Strathmore
- McNamara Avenue, Airport West
- Military Road, Avondale Heights
- Milleara Shopping Centre, Avondale Heights
- Mount Alexander Road, Ascot Vale
- Napier Street, Essendon
- Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds
- Strathmore Station
- Travancore
Activity centre planning
Planning for Moonee Valley’s activity centres is focused on considerations such as building heights, streetscape design, public spaces, traffic and parking, walking and cycling routes, and the appropriate application of zones and overlays to guide future growth, employment and investment.
It is also important to consider the role and function of each activity centre in the context of the broader network of centres, ensuring that smaller centres support the function of larger ones so that each can thrive without detracting from others. The goal is to make Moonee Valley’s activity centres safe, attractive, and vibrant places that are convenient for everyday living and can adapt as our community changes.
Activity centre planning in Moonee Valley is an ongoing process, with Council currently undertaking strategic work to support the future development of our network of activity centres.
Airport West
Airport West Major Activity Centre provides a varied commercial function and is a key employment base for the municipality. The centre should be supported by:
- maintaining the retail focus of the area
- developing the centre as a significant employment hub
- consolidating retail, commercial, community, entertainment, recreational and residential uses in the northern precinct
- supporting the McNamara Avenue precinct to provide local convenience retailing
- improving the northern gateway with distinctive architecture.
A draft Issues and Opportunities Report was exhibited for community consultation in August and September 2015. Council undertook a comprehensive consultation program of community engagement, resulting in feedback from over 500 Airport West residents, landowners, stakeholders, community groups and other members of the public. After reviewing the community consultation feedback received, the Issues and Opportunities Report was updated, and adopted by Council in March 2016.
- Issues and Opportunities Report (2016), (PDF, 126MB)
- Issues and Opportunities Report - Community Consultation Key Findings Report (2016), (PDF, 7.5MB)
- Appendix A – Economic Analysis and Market Feasibility Assessment (Charter Keck Cramer, 2015), (PDF, 10.7MB)
- Appendix B – Urban Design and Built Form Analysis (Planisphere, 2015), (PDF, 17.5MB)
- Appendix C – Transport, Access and Mobility Assessment (GHD, 2015), (PDF, 14.6MB)
The Key Directions and Preferred Options Report consolidated analysis and recommendations provided in the background documents, building on the learnings of the Issues and Opportunities Report.
- Key Directions and Preferred Options Report (2017) (PDF, 118MB)
- Urban Design Report and Draft Urban Design and Built Form Guidelines (2017), (PDF, 7.6MB)
- Transport, Access and Mobility Report (2017), (PDF, 3.8MB)
- Dromana Avenue Public Transport Interchange Design Concepts (2017), (PDF, 20.9MB)
- Final Economic Analysis and Market Feasibility Report (2016) (PDF, 11MB)
Consultation on the Key Directions and Preferred Options report was undertaken in November and December 2017.
In 2018, Council adopted the MV2040 Strategy and committed to preparing neighbourhood plans for each of our neighbourhoods. Work is currently underway to prepare an Airport West Neighbourhood Plan, informed by the Airport West Structure Plan Review.
In 2023, Council resolved that consultation on the draft Airport West Neighbourhood Plan will occur following development of a housing strategy for Moonee Valley.
Moonee Ponds
Moonee Ponds Major Activity Centre is the primary activity centre in Moonee Valley and plays an important role as a regional centre in Melbourne’s north-west. The centre should be supported by:
- reinforcing the centre as a destination for retail, business, civic, cultural, creative and entertainment uses
- encouraging higher-density development that respects the local heritage attributes of the area
- designing new development to be sensitive to the surrounding residential areas particularly where they directly interface
- encouraging the activation of the laneway network, including through greening initiatives and public art
- connecting and activating laneways to create a cohesive network for improved pedestrian permeability and vibrancy
- supporting sustainable transport modes by providing high quality bicycle and walking infrastructure and reducing the reliance on the private vehicle
- discouraging the expansion of gambling venues or electronic gaming machines.
MPAC to 2040: Moonee Ponds Activity Centre Local Plan (PDF) (Local Plan) supports the directions of MV2040 and outlines a vision for the activity centre that is easy to move around, the environment is resilient, the place is full of life and the valued heritage character is protected.
Amendment C207moon (PDF) implements the Local Plan and associated background documents to ensure it aligns with our vision for MPAC. This includes a suite of mandatory and discretionary planning controls to provide greater clarity regarding development outcomes in the activity centre.
- Moonee Ponds Activity Centre - Affordable Housing (SGS Economics & Planning, 2021) (PDF)
- Moonee Ponds Activity Centre - Built Form (Hodyl & Co, 2021) (PDF)
- Moonee Ponds Activity Centre Employment and Floor Space (SGS Economics and Planning, 2021) (PDF)
- Moonee Ponds Activity Centre Public Open Space (2021) (PDF)
- Moonee Ponds Activity Centre Streetscapes and Public Spaces (2021) (PDF)
- Moonee Ponds Activity Centre Transport (Traffix Group, 2021) (PDF)
- Moonee Ponds Activity Centre Wind (2021) (PDF)
Keilor Road (Niddrie) and North Essendon
The Victorian Government has now completed planning for the Niddrie (Keilor Road) and North Essendon Activity Centres.
The plans for these centres have been incorporated into the Moonee Valley Planning Scheme. View plan
Racecourse Road
Racecourse Road Major Activity Centre maintains a ‘main street’ feel and is evolving with more retail uses and increased levels of higher-density development. The centre should be supported by:
- leveraging the benefits of investment brought by the nearby Arden-Macaulay and Flemington racecourse revitalisation to reinforce the role of the centre as a diverse local cultural and social hub
- encouraging new development that respects the local heritage attributes of the area.
The Racecourse Road Strategic Improvements Plan (SIP), developed with the City of Melbourne, was adopted by Council in August 2024.
The Racecourse Road SIP establishes a shared vision and high-level directions for future improvements along the activity centre. A joint approach is adopted between the two Councils to guide the planning and delivery of upgrades across multiple disciplines, including transport, urban design, greening and open space.
View the Racecourse Road Strategic Improvements Plan (PDF, 31 MB)
The Racecourse Road and Pin Oak Crescent Streetscape and Activation Plan Report, prepared by consultants ACLA landscape architects and Chatterbox Projects, was adopted by Council in February 2016.
It will be used to inform future landscape capital works projects and ongoing street-based activation programs and projects. This includes future capital works, street furniture upgrades, public art projects and programs, events and other activities.
Union Road
Union Road Major Activity Centre plays an important local role in providing a range of retail, commercial and community services. The centre should be supported by:
- encouraging the activation of laneways and pedestrian amenity improvements
- designing development to respect the heritage values of the commercial buildings.