An application has been endorsed to rezone industrial land in Bundoora for the building of a new residential neighbourhood of more than 700 homes.
The 36.4-hectare block of land was used as a basalt quarry from 1964 until 1992, and from 2000, the site took clean fill material, including mixed clay, silt, sand, gravel, and rocks.
City of Whittlesea resolved to amend the Whittlesea Planning Scheme at the last council meeting on December 17, 2024.
The application, lodged by a private developer, aims to redevelop the former quarry site at 149 McKimmies Road into a residential neighbourhood, featuring new public open space, significant tree planning, and affordable housing.
The decision follows a thorough process under the Planning and Environment Act, which included community consultation, an independent panel review, and two previous council decisions. An independent environmental auditor examined the rehabilitated land and confirmed it is suitable for residential development.
The proposed development will create around 730 new homes, with five per cent social housing, and 10 per cent affordable housing, in alignment with council policy, as well as be constructed to a high environmental standard.
The applicant will provide infrastructure that will form a connected neighbourhood, including two parks, shared paths, and a pedestrian bridge over Darebin Creek, connecting the site to the Thomastown East Recreation Reserve and the existing Darebin Creek Trail.
The developer will also transform the existing roundabout on McKimmies Road and improve the environmental condition of the Darebin Creek corridor through revegetation works as part of future development.
The application went on public exhibition in September 2023 to allow residents, businesses, and organisations to provide feedback. Nine submissions were received, and in February 2024, council decided to request the Minister for Planning to appoint an independent planning panel to review the submissions.
The panel released its report in June 2024, which found the amendment to be ‘well founded and strategically justified’, and recommended it proceed, subject to addressing specific issues.
At the last council meeting in December, councillors passed a resolution that further addressed some of the concerns raised during the rezoning process.
The resolution included provisions to consider a secondary entry and exit point for emergency services, the requirement to upgrade the intersection of McKimmies Road and Laurie Collins Drive, and a commitment from the State Government to ensure the future design of the E6 road project will minimise noise impacts for residents.
City of Whittlesea Mayor Councillor Aidan McLindon said the transformation of the residential neighbourhood would benefit the community.
“A lack of suitable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing the community,” he said.
“Transforming this rehabilitated industrial land into a residential neighbourhood that will deliver hundreds of new homes is a great outcome for our community.
“It’s also great to see that 15 per cent of the homes will be committed to social and affordable housing so that some of our most vulnerable families can live in comfort and safety.”
For more information, visit www.engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/psamckimmies.