Series
All roads lead to the CBD. But congested Melbourne needs second cities
In this series, The Age explores the best options for a new city.
- Special Series
- Development
Melbourne’s CBD is bursting at the seams. Here is where its next cities could be
Decades after planners sought to decentralise Melbourne, it still has only one CBD.
- Sophie Aubrey
- Special Series
- For subscribers
The sprawling suburb that is the city’s greatest hope for a second CBD
This south-eastern suburb has a secret weapon that could cement it as Melbourne’s second CBD.
- Sophie Aubrey
- Special Series
- For subscribers
Why this high-rise heart of suburbia could be our new business district
A little over 14 kilometres from the city centre there’s a rapidly developing suburb that could have everything a CBD needs.
- Sophie Aubrey
- Special Series
The unassuming suburb that could become the capital of the West
Local and state governments have a unified goal to transform a suburb plagued by generational disadvantage into an economic powerhouse.
- Sophie Aubrey
Watch: Where and how Melbourne could spread out
We explore three of Melbourne’s best prospective secondary business districts decades after first plans were drafted to decentralise the city.
Northern lights: In John Brumby’s field of dreams this is Melbourne’s second CBD
Bundoora, in Melbourne’s north, has poor public transport but the former Victorian premier – now a university chancellor – will push on with plans to make the precinct a second CBD.
- Sophie Aubrey
Other series
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026
This year’s laugh fest has kicked off, with more than 2000 performers stepping up to the mic. Here, our writers take a closer look
- 10 stories
Hate of origin: Inside football’s most intense rivalry
Essendon and Hawthorn have hated each other for more than 40 years, from some old-fashioned thuggery and a fake drug scandal in the mid-80s to last year’s failed bid by the Hawks to poach the Bombers’ captain.
- 5 stories