Project updates

Meeting community needs and aspirations until 2040

The Bayswater Renewal Strategy has been developed to ensure the Bayswater Activity Centre continues to be a thriving hub for community life and business until 2040.

The strategy guides development to support population growth and housing needs, while protecting Bayswater’s distinctive character. It also aims to balance economic, social and environmental matters.

Community engagement in 2020, 2022 and 2024 helped inform priorities and initiatives identified in the strategy.

The strategy was adopted at the Council meeting on 26 August 2024.

The strategy includes an action plan consisting of 65 actions. Key projects are:

  • supporting population growth and housing needs in the centre
  • revitalise and activate Penguin Place and Macauley Place
  • investigate a new Community Hub
  • facilitate renewal of Bayswater Triangle
  • increase tree canopy and greening throughout the centre
  • activate and renew public spaces
  • improve access and business synergies between Bayswater Business Precinct and the activity centre
  • develop a niche and night time economy
  • improve pedestrian and cycling networks along Mountain Highway
  • improve links between Marie Wallace Bayswater Park and the centre

    • Artist impressions

    Penguin Place
    Station Street
    Triangle precinct

    In 2021, the population in Bayswater was 13,013 and by 2040, it is projected to increase to 18,682. The strategy has key initiatives to support population growth and increasing housing needs. This involves providing additional housing and more housing choices (including social and affordable housing) in the activity centre.

    The strategy proposes to increase building heights by one storey, from the current planning controls which allow for development up to 5 storeys, in key precincts, specifically along a section of Mountain Highway and close to the train station. The diagram below shows the different heights being proposed in different precincts.

    Clearer planning controls, with some increase to building heights will promote the increase of population density within the activity centre where there is better services, transport and other public facilities.

    The diagram below shows the maximum building heights proposed for each area in the activity centre.


    Imagine Penguin Place and Macualay Place as a vibrant retail and activity space for residents and visitors.

    The strategy proposes to reimagine Penguin Place as an inviting public space, with a greater focus on improving pedestrian amenity, outdoor street life and increased greenery.

    The artist’s impression below shows what a reimagined Penguin Place may look like.


    Timeline

    • Timeline item 1 - complete

      Preliminary community engagement on visioning the future Bayswater

    • Timeline item 2 - complete

      Community engagement on Issues and Opportunities Paper

      17 October to 14 November

    • Timeline item 3 - complete

      Community engagement report for the Issues and opportunities consultation

      February 2023

    • Timeline item 4 - complete

      Community engagement on the Draft Bayswater Renewal Strategy

      5 April to 5 May 2024

    • Timeline item 5 - complete

      Adopted by Council

      August 2024

    • Timeline item 6 - incomplete

      Implementation including planning scheme amendment

      2024-2040

    Contact Us

    Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

    Contact Information
    Name Domenic Petrilli
    Phone 9298 8000
    Email bayswaterrenewal@knox.vic.gov.au