“If they want to have more people live here, will they ensure our quality of life is preserved?” 

Miriam Dabbs, a long-time Kew resident, asked the question on the minds of many this week as the Victorian Government unveiled sweeping changes to planning rules across Boroondara.  

Kew Junction and Camberwell Junction, long-loved hubs that have defined the character of their communities, are now facing a big shift under the state’s new housing plans. If the draft proposal goes ahead, Camberwell Junction’s bustling heart could soon be dominated by towering 12-storey buildings, while Kew Junction, known for its village-like charm, is set to become an “activity centre” — paving the way for more development that many worry could change the area forever. 

For Miriam, it is more than a policy change — it is a threat to everything she loves about her community. “I love how Kew looks like right now. I do not think that those new buildings or houses that the government wants to build will inherit the same style, and that will ruin the beauty of Kew,” she said. 

Some small business employee, like Olive Gabrielson who works at a bakery in Camberwell Junction, share similar anxities. “Our bakery is doing very well. I really do not want any changes to affect it,” Olive said. 

At the centre of the backlash is frustration over what locals describe as being ‘sidelined’. Boroondara Mayor Sophie Torney voiced strong criticism through Boroondara’s community page, saying the government’s consultation process had been performative rather than genuine. “Today’s announcement demonstrates that when the government says we have a seat at the table on planning, we’re only there to be seen, not heard,” she said. 

The Council has been working with the community for years to develop structure plans that were intended to strike a balance between the preservation of Boroondara’s distinctive heritage and development. Currently, there is a risk of disregarding those meticulously devised strategies. 

“We worked hard to create plans that carefully manage growth while protecting what makes Boroondara special,” Mayor Torney said. “To see them pushed aside for a one-size-fits-all planning model is deeply disappointing.” 

The absence of funding commitments to renovate local infrastructure pushes the concerns. Residents are worried that the suburbs may collapse due to the lack of additional support for services such as schools, parks and transportation. “The state government is fast-tracking density without fast-tracking the essential infrastructure and services our community needs.” Mayor Torney warned. 

The new planning rules make it much harder for councils to stop developments that meet the government’s ‘deemed to comply’ height and setback guildlines. While there is still a chance to formally object or appeal, many residents feel like their voices will no longer cary the same weight in shaping what happens in their own neighbourhoods. 

With the formal changes to the Boroondara Planning Scheme set to be announced by the end of March, locals like Miriam and Olive are holding on tight to what they love about their suburbs – the familiar streetscapes, the small businesses, the sense of community – and hoping they can protect the very things that make Kew and Camberwell feel like home before they are lost for good. 

Tell us what do you think of the plans: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T55MH32