Ringwood Central Activities District

Ringwood was designated as one of six Central Activities District in Melbourne 2030: a planning update - Melbourne at 5 million. 

Central Activities Districts, along with Transit Cities, are initiatives by the Victorian Government that aim to revitalise key suburban and regional centres through improved infrastructure, integrated transport and better urban design to create quality places for people to live, work, relax and visit.

Central Activities Districts are an important element of the government’s long-term plan to encourage and manage sustainable growth of Melbourne’s suburbs.

Through the Transit Cities program, the government aims to:

• revitalise urban centres through improved infrastructure, urban design and quality of places

• actively facilitate private investment and development and provide greater planning certainty

• improve sustainable transport usage and the integration of transport services

• encourage higher density housing at strategic development sites in and near nominated centres

• improve access to services and stimulate greater local employment opportunities

• provide a range of housing types including more affordable housing in and near transit centres

• reduce social disadvantage through urban renewal in selected centres

• prioritise resources to areas of the greatest metropolitan or regional strategic importance.

Central Activities Districts will provide:

• significant CBD-type jobs and commercial services

• a strong and diverse retail sector

• specialised goods and services drawing on a large regional catchment

• significant opportunities for housing redevelopment in and around these centres

• high levels of accessibility for walking, cycling, public transport or car by being located at a junction in the Principal Public transport Network

• vibrant centres of community activity with a range of public facilities.

A key feature of Transit Cities is the involvement and contribution of the private sector. Working together, the government and private developers will provide more housing options at strategic locations, improve the range of retail and access other services, stimulate greater local employment opportunities and help build quality mixed use centres.

Find out more about the Ringwood Central Activities District

The Premier and Minister for Planning announced $39 million in September 2008 to deliver:

• the completion of a new town square and urban heart for Ringwood

• improved safety and amenity around Maroondah Highway including a new pedestrian crossing

• a new bus interchange

• further work to encourage opportunities for investment in the CAD.

The proposed works have an important linkage to Queensland Investment Corporation's (QIC) proposed development for a major extension of the adjacent Eastland Shopping Centre.