Conserving and protecting the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens

17 April 2025

The Minister for Planning has approved a new World Heritage Management Plan for the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, and a new World Heritage Strategy Plan for its ’buffer zone’ - also known as the World Heritage Environs Area. Approval is by notice published in the Victoria Government Gazette.

World Heritage Management Plan

The refreshed World Heritage Management Plan will ensure that current best practice standards are met when managing the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.

It comprises of five parts:

The three site-wide plans (parts 1-3) provide information and guidance for the management of the entire Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens and the two area plans (parts 4 and 5) are targeted at specific areas of the site to supplement the site-wide plans.

World Heritage Strategy Plan

The World Heritage Strategy Plan was developed following public exhibition, submissions and a hearing held by the Heritage Council of Victoria. The Strategy Plan includes mandatory height requirements for buildings in the World Heritage Environs Area buffer zone to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.

Amendment VC251 gives effect to the approved Strategy Plan through managing and controlling development outside the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens but within the buffer zone.

Page last updated: 17/04/25