Doncaster Hill

Doncaster Hill
Doncaster Hill, viewed from Heidelberg, looking south-east (Dandenong Ranges in background)
Highest point
Elevation	120 m (390 ft) AHD
Prominence	Low
Geography
Location	Victoria, Australia
Climbing
Easiest route	Car, Bus (sealed road)

Doncaster Hill is one of the highest points in the metropolitan area of Melbourne, Australia. Located in the suburb of Doncaster, it is 120 metres above sea level and has uninterrupted views of the city, Port Phillip, Macedon Ranges, the You Yang Ranges and Dandenong Ranges. The hill experienced extensive low-density urban development during the 1960s and 70s, consisting of typical detached suburban dwellings.

The surrounding transport infrastructure is heavily reliant on private automobiles. The City of Manningham has enacted policies to encourage high-density development atop the hill, however it lacks a holistic policy and incentives scheme to properly encourage sustainable urban development and transit-oriented development. As a result, the housing available is generally marketed to higher income earners and are of low practical quality.

The Doncaster Hill Precinct strategy is a 20-year, A$2 billion proposal created by the City of Manningham for the area. The 58-hectare (140-acre) precinct identified by the strategy is located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Melbourne's central business district. It is situated close to main arterial roads, including the Eastern Freeway, but is poorly served by public transport, with access to only buses.

The strategy aims to create an urban village which reduces urban sprawl that would otherwise place pressure on natural environments in the green wedges to the precinct's east. The proposal includes both residential and commercial developments. Streetscapes, parks, transport and planning schemes are all being improved and amended as part of the proposal.