The Town and Country Planning Association in June 1998 adopted the following points as the basis of its policy on urban consolidation for Melbourne.
Federal and state governments should make explicit their policies on population size and distribution.
Rural land surrounding Melbourne should be definitively frozen against urban development pressures.
Higher densities should be encouraged in urban villages in the metropolitan area, and new towns and growth centres in rural Victoria.
All such locations should be developed integrally with infrastructure, public transport, community facilities &c, and with employment opportunities. They should not be seen as commuter dormitories.
Higher density residential development in and over shopping centres should be encouraged, if necessary by direct government intervention.
The consolidation of sites to permit integrated and cost-effective redevelopment in suitable areas should be encouraged, as distinct from sporadic site-by-site development
All development should be charged with the true costs associated with the provision of infrastructure and facilities, including a calculated share of the cost of roads and freeways, parking &c serving the area.