How the Victorian Parliament can stop 25 Activity Centres and the Mid-Rise Code
The Minister for Planning must approve any change to a planning scheme. The change becomes law and takes effect on the day it is published in the Government Gazette. Normally the change has been exhibited to the public for comment and submissions reviewed by independent experts.
However, Parliament has the power to overturn any Gazetted planning scheme change through a process called disallowance.
How does the disallowance process work?
Disallowance is a vote in Parliament to overturn a Gazetted change. It is a powerful check on the Minister’s power to make changes that bypass consultation and independent review, as has occurred with both the 25 Train and Tram Activity Centres and the Mid-Rise Code.
On Wednesday 3 June 2026 we expect that Victoria’s Upper House, the Legislative Council, will vote on overturning both changes.
Why community advocacy matters
The Government does not hold the majority in the Upper House. It requires the support of at least four crossbenchers to defeat the disallowance. The votes of the four Greens members are therefore particularly important.
Concerned Victorians are asked to lobby all crossbenchers seeking them to support the disallowance vote. Politicians tell us pro-forma letters carry less weight. We make some suggestions on points you may consider making:
- You seek the restoration of democratic planning for housing for all in a liveable Victoria.
- It is inappropriate to implement the sweeping planning changes in GC270 and VC300 so close to a State election, particularly when there is a credible alternative policy position before the Victorian community.
- Disallowance provides greater certainty for both communities and developers, while allowing proper public debate about the future of planning in Victoria, as the Opposition has stated if elected it would:
- repeal the Activity Centre Program, GC270, and return responsibility for housing targets and planning decisions to local councils with genuine community consultation; and
- restore residents’ rights to notice, objection and independent review of planning applications, rights significantly curtailed by VC300.
- The Government has failed to adequately respond to the findings and recommendations of the May 2025 Parliamentary Inquiry, which identified serious concerns regarding consultation processes and independent review mechanisms associated with the pilot Activity Centre Program and the Low-Rise Code.
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Each Victorian is represented by one Assembly member and five Council members. For this vote, the five Council members for your region are especially relevant.