A vision to massively expand the central business district and encourage high-rise towers from Carlton to the Shrine is not a free kick for developers, according to the Baillieu government.

Announcing the 20 to 50 year ‘‘bold vision for expanded Melbourne CBD’’, Planning Minister Matthew Guy denied the plan to expand the capital city zone out from the Hoddle Grid to Fishermans Bend, St Kilda Road and towards Melbourne University was a big win for developers.

Under the plan, Melbourne's skyline will look a lot busier. Credit:Rebecca Hallas

‘‘Anyone would know that a capital city zone is anything but a developers' picnic — quite to the contrary,’’ Mr Guy said as he launched the plan from the 57th storey of the Rialto Tower.

‘‘What we are trying to do is accommodate population... actually get density in the city core, actually looking at growing the city core, not just in a small area for people to reside but a larger area for people to reside,’’ he said.