Carlton’s future in the balance

The Carlton Residents’ Association (CRA) has decided to be proactive in promoting issues that will protect and improve Carlton.

The CRA has developed several policies that will guide our promotion of ideas to protect and enhance Carlton, particularly the area of postcode 3053 east of Swanston St, but also including Melbourne’s City North precinct.

A meeting with the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, whose portfolio includes planning, was held in mid-April. Seven issues were presented by the CRA …

Significant heritage places should be conserved and not partially demolished

The City of Melbourne’s unwritten policy is to retain only the fronts of significant heritage buildings, sometimes some side façades, and to demolish rear sections, interiors and roofs, and to allow multi-storey structures to be built over what remains.

We believe that this is a mockery of accepted conservation principles. CRA requests that the Melbourne Planning Scheme be amended to provide unambiguous protection for our remaining heritage buildings that add so much to Carlton and Melbourne’s liveable city quality.

The CRA is gathering support from other Melbourne residents and action groups.

We are proud of the Lygon St commercial strip

While it is lively and attractive it needs a boost (to overcome some faults) and to make it a top attraction.

The CRA article in the April 2026 edition of Inner City News “The future of Lygon St is no laughing matter!”, discussed the issues and suggested solutions.

Current problems include excessive through traffic and hooning and unattractive parklets, which reduce parking and pedestrian movement. With one lane of traffic each way, widened footpaths, coordinated landscaping. there would be increased parking, less noise and increased pedestrian amenity.

We asked the council to work with Carlton Inc. and others to prepare an action plan.

The Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor showed initial support.

Limiting university growth in Carlton

Amendent, C432 – New Municipal Planning Strategy – Carlton proposes changes to encourage "Tertiary Education and Knowledge and Innovation" in Carlton, east of Swanston St.

We have submitted an objection noting that RMIT should be confined to the Swanston, Queensberry, Lygon and Victoria streets area and Melbourne University to the Swanston, Elgin, Cardigan and Grattan streets area. A Design and Development Overlay should be prepared to set development forms including maximum heights and heritage protection for the two areas.

Action on the former Cancer Council eyesore

The former Cancer Council Building, 1-23 Rathdowne St, is both an eyesore and a health and safety risk. After a failed development application to the council, the property is on the market.

CRA encourages the demolition of buildings on the site and temporary landscaping perhaps for public use.

Encouragement to undertake the works could include financial incentives such as municipal rates and land tax rebates.

Traffic

With the opening of the West Gate Tunnel Project roads there is excessive traffic in parts of Carlton.

Princes St suffers from additional trucks with noise levels well above acceptable maximums. Queensberry and Lygon streets also have additional traffic. CRA asked the council to urgently undertake studies to alleviate the problems.

The City of Melbourne noted that the Queensberry St traffic reductions and introduction of upgraded bicycle lanes and street planting have been approved and are planned to be undertaken soon.

Mandatory height controls

Mandatory maximum height levels should be introduced over Carlton, east of Swanston St to give certainty to developers and avoid frequent appeals to VCAT.

The World Heritage Environs Area (WHEA), with the support of the council and CRA now has mandatory height controls.

Governance reform for Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens

The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, a World-Heritage place, should have centralised management.

The CRA is also concerned about the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show use of the southern portion of the Carlton Gardens for the annual show. CRA proposes a Melbourne-wide show using the Royal Exhibition Building and hard surface outdoor areas of Carlton Gardens, together with displays in areas such as Birrarung Marr. •