The Review identified the stations’ canopies are being of local rarity, aesthetic and technical significance to the City of Melbourne due to its unique design and engineering of its tensile membranes and structures. The canopies are an example of ‘Lightweight Architecture’, a style of architecture that emerged in the 1950’s in response to new technologies.

For more information, please look at the Statement of Significance and the Heritage review – these can be found under the incorporated and background document headings of the supporting documents section.

A planning scheme is a legal document that sets out planning policies, zones, overlays and other rules affecting how land can be used and developed in the municipality.

It sets out what we can and cannot do on different areas of land in the city. For example, whether the land can be used for housing or a shop or business, what the height of a building should be, and how much open space should be provided.

As our city grows and changes, planning controls may be changed or updated to reflect the new circumstances. A change to the planning scheme is known as an amendment.

The process for an amendment is set out in the Planning and Environment Act 1987. The amendment process has a number of steps.

For more information, see the planning scheme amendment process.

The Heritage Overlay identifies places which are of heritage importance. The overlay seeks to conserve and enhance places of natural and cultural significance and ensure new development does not adversely affect the significance of the heritage place.

The City of Melbourne’s heritage policies guide applicants and planners in preparing and assessing applications for planning permits under the Heritage Overlay. The policies encourage development that is in harmony with the existing character and appearance of heritage places. Different requirements apply depending on the heritage category which applies to a building.

The Heritage Places Inventory is an Incorporated Document in the Melbourne Planning Scheme, it lists properties within the Heritage Overlay and identifies their heritage category. Properties are either Significant, Contributory or Non-contributory. Properties may also be part of a significant streetscape under this system.

Council officers will read and analyse all submissions and put forward a report that details findings to a Council meeting. If it is resolved at the Council meeting to proceed to Planning Panels, your submission will also then be considered by an independent planning panel.

This page will be updated as the project progresses. To receive email updates, follow this page.