Kew Junction was designated a Major Activity Centre in the state government’s 30-year plan for urban growth, Melbourne 2030. In response, the local authority, the City of Boroondara, adopted the Kew Junction Structure plan in 2009 to guide the area’s development. In 2010, Lovell Chen undertook a heritage study for Boroondara Council, carrying out a physical survey and assessment of places within the activity centre boundary, and preparing precinct and property citations. We then further investigated buildings and elements of heritage significance in support of the Council’s objectives, which include encouraging more-intensive development.

The heritage study is focused on commercial, retail and some residential buildings associated with the High Street-Cotham Road comercial strip and the five-way intersection of Studley Park Road and Princess, High and Denmark streets in Kew. One new precinct — Kew Junction Commercial Precinct — and a number of individual places were recommended for inclusion in the local Heritage Overlay, and several properties recommended for inclusion in existing precincts. The study was adopted by Council in August 2011 and subsequently formed the basis for Amendment C149 to the Boroondara Planning Scheme. We provided expert witness services during the planning panel process that accompanied its adoption.

In another study undertaken for the City of Boroondara: Assessment of Heritage Precincts in Kew (begun 2008, completed April 2013), a residential precinct in this area, High Street South Precinct, was identified and recommended for inclusion in the local Heritage Overlay, along with five other residential precincts in Kew.