Building More Homes While Protecting What Matters
The Allan Labor Government is setting clear development guidelines to safeguard one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks – while continuing to deliver the homes Victorians need.
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 Labor Government is providing certainty to council, developers, and local communities about where more homes can be built while protecting the site’s heritage.
Victoria continues to build and approve thousands of more homes than any other state in the country, but there is more work to do.
To deliver the homes Victorians need, the Labor Government has introduced bold reforms to deliver more homes near train and tram stations, make it easier to get townhouses off the ground, create a 10-year pipeline of land for family homes and backyard, and slash stamp duty for off-the-plan apartments, units and townhouses.
As stated by Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny
“We can deliver the homes Victoria needs while protecting what makes Melbourne great.”
“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.”
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-05/250507-Building-More-Homes-While-Protecting-What-Matters.pdf