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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.

6 stories
Second City index image for day one

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
Could Clayton become home to a second city?

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
Box Hill’s skyline is taking on the shape of a mini CBD.

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
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Does Sunshine have what it takes?
  • 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
Old trucks should be banned from Sydney and Melbourne to reduce Australians’ exposure to deadly air pollution, according to a new Grattan Institute report.
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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.

La Trobe University’s planned University City of the Future.

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

The Sydney Central Business District, Sydney Harbour and Eastern Suburbs and surrounds are seen on 18 February 2025, in Sydney, Australia from a commercial airliner. Picture - Sam Mooy / The Sydney Morning Herald

Life in the burbs

We’re celebrating Sydney’s suburbs and local writers have been penning pieces about the neighbourhoods they know best. Read all their stories here.

  • 8 stories
Australia's declining fertility rate.

Australia’s baby bust

The fertility rate in Australia is at a record low. We explore why we’re having fewer babies – and what that means for the country’s future.

  • 15 stories