Lilydale Activity Centre

Lilydale was first settled by Europeans in the 1860s, as a rural outpost servicing surrounding agricultural land, and later as a staging point for travellers to the goldfields. Today, the town retains its role as the largest urban centre in its region, now providing its surrounding districts with a broad array of services and facilities, including retail, industrial, health, community, civic, educational and recreational.

Over past decades, the town’s layout and design have revealed problems. It has been identified that the town lacks a sense of centre, or focal point, and that its areas of activity are fragmented. There has been ongoing uncertainty over a potential bypass for the town, which has exacerbated these problems.

Despite this, the town has a strong sense of community and significant assets, notably its majestic tree lined streets, heritage buildings, and sweeping views.

There is now unprecedented investment occurring in the centre, in the form of the Lilydale quarry redevelopment, the level crossing removal and new station, and other initiatives. The town is now at an important juncture in time, and there is now a critical opportunity to maximise the benefits of this investment, and shape the town’s future as never before.

To these ends, in August 2022 Council approved a new Structure Plan for Lilydale, after extensive public consultation, to inform how the town should develop into the future.

This work builds on previous strategic work and consultation that has occurred in the town, including the Lilydale Place Plan 2019, which set out a strong, clear vision for the future of the town, incorporating findings of substantial community involvement.