Case Studies
20-Minute Neighbourhoods

Design Feature

Type of project
Policy
State
Victoria
Location
Urban
The places people live have a direct impact on their health and wellbeing. Connected, walkable places, where people can live, work, play, access local services and spend their free time, are the cornerstones of a healthy community.
Living locally, accessing your daily needs in a 20-minute walk
The Victorian Government believes these essential services should be within a 20-minute return walk and be able to be accessed through safe cycling networks, local public transport and walkable pathways. This concept, as detailed in the Victorian State Government’s Plan Melbourne 2017–2050 long-term planning strategy, envisages creating compact, walkable and liveable neighbourhoods across the city.
Plan Melbourne is centred around giving people the ability to meet most of their daily needs within a 20-minute walk from home; this promotes active living and supports social interactions. Socially isolated people (including older people) in low-density developed areas engage in lower rates of physical activity, and are subsequently at greater risk of chronic disease, such as coronary heart disease. Low rates of physical activity also place people at higher risk of developing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. This plan attempts to alleviate these pressures and contributes to providing a better quality of life for all people in the community, including older adults.
The ‘hallmarks’ of a 20 Minute Neighbourhood were developed in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Heart Foundation (Victoria), during the preparation of Plan Melbourne. The ‘hallmarks’ outline that a 20-Minute Neighbourhood must:
  • Be safe, accessible and well-connected for pedestrians and cyclists, to optimise active transport.
  • Offer high-quality public open spaces.
  • Provide services and destinations that support local living.
  • Facilitate access to quality public transport that connects people to jobs and higher-order services.
  • Deliver housing/population at densities that make local services and transport viable.
  • Facilitate thriving local economies.


In 2018, the 20-Minute Neighbourhood Pilot Program was launched by the Victorian Minister for Planning. Stage One was implemented in three pilot sites in within Moonee Valley City Council, Maroondah City Council and Brimbank City Council. Stage Two of the project was carried out in greenfield areas in the Wyndham City Council and Mitchell Shire Council. Findings indicate that strong partnerships and integrated planning are needed to effectively design the built environment to accommodate 20-Minute Neighbourhoods, which can help to create a liveable, healthy active and neighbourhood.
Project team
  • Victorian State Government: Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
  • Moonee Valley, Brimbank City Council, aroondah City Councils. Wyndham City Council and Mitchell Shire Council
  • Victoria Walks
  • The Heart Foundation (Victoria)
  • Resilient Melbourne
  • The Department of Transport (DoT)
  • The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
  • Victorian Planning Authority (VPA)


Project cost
Unavailable
Health value
  • The Victorian Government’s Plan gives people the ability to improve their fitness levels through walking and encourages all members of the community to meet their daily needs within a 20-minute walk from home.
  • Accompanying walkable pathways with safe cycling, as well as local public transport options, leads to an enhanced quality of life for all people in the community, including older adults.
  • The 20-Minute Neighbourhood promotes healthy lifestyles and ensures communities are accessible to people of all ages and abilities through the provision of specific services. These essential services include local health facilities, childcare, libraries, sporting facilities, parks, cafes and shopping centres.


Economic value
  • As the 20-Minute Neighbourhood promotes walkability and the consolidation of services, the initiative improves the economic value of local businesses as they become easier to access. This initiative strengthens community resilience and collaborative place-based partnerships with residents and local businesses.
  • The creation of an integrated 20-minute walkable neighbourhood enables a sustainable transport system where shorter trips can be undertaken via walking, instead of car rides. Adopting this approach would result in 50% of short private vehicle trips being replaced with walking, and the Victorian economy would save approximately $165 million a year in congestion, health, infrastructure and environmental costs.


Environmental value
  • The 20-Minute Neighbourhood is able to improve environmental values by encouraging people out of their cars and onto the streets. Social interactions and activity levels are likely to increase.The approach encourages greener and more sustainable forms of transport, such as walking and public transport. This encourages walkability and achieves active ageing considerations by creating neighbourhoods that are accessible for all community members


Social value
Walkable neighbourhoods are more sociable and friendly neighbourhoods. When an area is walkable, there are increased instances of social interactions between community members and local businesses. These social interactions increase community member vitality, quality of life and happiness.
Use value
The 2016 Australian Census identified 30.9% of Greater Melbourne residents are above the age of 50 years, with the second-highest age range being 50-74 years (24.5% of the population). Due to the percentage of older-aged individuals in Melbourne, the Plan Melbourne 20-Minute Neighbourhood is a crucial initiative in increasing active ageing and walkability.

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