Whitehorse’s high-rise plans set to house 76,500 more homes by 2051

The State Government has named Blackburn, Mitcham and Nunawading as key economic centres in Melbourne’s east.

Author

Matthew Sims
February 13, 2026

It's looking like Victoria may need to house 10 million more people over the next 25 years.  The State Government’s solution to this: towers up to 16 storeys tall.

Blackburn, in Melbourne's east, has been marked as one of the most suitable locations to help the Whitehorse LGA host more than 76,500 new houses by 2051, more than double the number of existing homes in the area.

Part of the solution: Activity centres – the State Government's new approach to urban development.

📍What is an activity centre? Activity centres are areas marked by the State Government as suitable areas to deliver more jobs, housing and other services. Primarily, that means new developments and industry.

🌃 What do the plans include? The second round of public consultation on the draft plans on areas across Melbourne is now open until March 22.

  • While parts of Blackburn are marked as suitable to be developed up to 16 storeys, areas around train stations further east along the Lilydale/Belgrave line – Mitcham and Nunawading – will be limited to 12 storeys.

  • In the area closest to the main hub, building applications that are within planning rules will essentially be fast-tracked through councils and the State Government.

  • This will mean councils won’t be able to knock back proposals if they meet certain criteria – and locals won’t be able to appeal the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

🪧 What did locals want? The government received more than 3,200 submissions in relation to the Blackburn, Mitcham and Nunawading plans, with common requests including:

  • more diverse housing options, like social and affordable housing; and

  • more community infrastructure, including EV charging stations and sports facilities.

⏭️ What’s next? Following this second round of consultation, the State Government will finalise the plans, with Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny giving the final green-light.

  • Private developers and landowners will then be able to use the plans to shape how they propose developments over the next 20 to 30 years.

Image Credit: Bob T