🏙️  Build Better, Do Better Merri-bek! 
Protecting Coburg and Brunswick’s Character, Liveability, and Safety

The Victorian Government and Merri-bek Council are fast-tracking major planning changes across Coburg and Brunswick. These changes allow buildings of 6 to 16 storeys in many residential areas, laneways and heritage streets.

They are being introduced without fully addressing safety issues, infrastructure strain, transport pressure or proper community consultation. Residents want growth and new homes, but only when planning is safe, transparent and supported by real infrastructure.

 
What’s at Stake

Safety and Access Issues
Safety problems already exist across the Activity Centre areas and will worsen with more density.

• Increased traffic movement through narrow streets and rat-runs
  Blind shared paths used by cyclists, commuters, prams and school children.
• Unsafe crossings with poor lighting, no signals and narrow access points.
• Victoria Street is one example, not the only one. Similar risks appear across Brunswick and Coburg.

New multi-storey developments will add hundreds of extra cars without fixing safety first.

Failing Basic Infrastructure
Local infrastructure is already stretched.

• Water leaks, burst pipes and failing terracotta drainage systems
•  Sewerage smells and poor stormwater drainage reported after construction works
• High-rise shadows blocking sunlight, affecting rooftop solar panels on existing homes
•  Electricity outages in high-demand pockets
• Streets like Victoria, Albert and sections of Sydney Road cannot safely absorb more vehicles!

These issues are community-reported and linked to existing overdevelopment.

Education Pressure

• Coburg High and surrounding schools are already at or beyond capacity.
• Childcare waitlists are growing.
• Maternal and child health services overwhelmed.
• There is no plan for new schools or expanded early-learning facilities to match projected population growth.

Heritage at Risk

• Streets with heritage overlays are still earmarked for 6 to 16 storey buildings.
• Overshadowing, loss of character, tree removal and façade impacts.
• Residents have repeatedly called for height limits, scaling and greener design.
• Neighbourhood identity is being sidelined in the process.

Lack of Proper Consultation

• Residents report token consultation and late-stage engagement
• Feedback from Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports has not been meaningfully reflected
• Key safety and infrastructure questions remain unanswered
  Other councils push back on overdevelopment. Ours is not.

Safety Red Flags
Real-world hazards are already visible across Coburg and Brunswick:

• Narrow, blind shared paths beside new construction
• Unsignalised, outdated rail crossings
• Missing pedestrian lights, safe refuge islands and accessibility ramps.
• Traffic congestion on daily repeat!
• Shrinking green space and over-shadowing.

These are systemic issues caused by density without preparation.

Council Accountability
Construction continues in areas flagged as unsafe or unprepared.

• No new crossings or traffic management in high-risk zones
• No upgrades to drainage or water infrastructure before approving major height increases
• Accessibility problems ignored!

This is not responsible planning. Growth must be safe before it is built.

 
Why We’re Speaking Up
We support development. We want more homes and a stronger community.
But we want development done properly.
Safe streets first. Infrastructure first. Real consultation first.
Not height increases pushed through while basic systems fail.

 
What We’re Asking For
We call on Merri-bek Council and the Victorian Government to:

•  Pause all 8+ storey approvals until a full safety and infrastructure review is complete.
• Commission independent audits of traffic, drainage, pipes and accessibility
• Install protected crossings and lighting at priority sites across Brunswick and Coburg
• Respect heritage overlays and scale developments to fit local character
• Reopen consultation with genuine community participation
• Update traffic and car-movement impact reports to reflect real growth
• Learn from other councils that have pushed back on unsafe density planning

 
Our Message
We are not anti-development.
We are pro-community, pro-safety and pro-livability.

Growth should strengthen our suburbs, not overwhelm them.
Merri-bek deserves smart growth, not overgrowth.

✍️ Sign and share this petition to put liveability first.

Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date. We’re here to listen to your concerns. https://www.facebook.com/coburg.community.action.group