This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Victorian government is unlocking surplus government land to make room for more than 500 new homes in Melbourne’s inner east suburb of Kew.
Consultation is now underway for a proposed amendment to the Boroondara Planning Scheme to rezone the 2.67-hectare former Kew VicRoads site on Denmark Street, from Transport Zone to a mix of Commercial and General Residential zones.
The site benefits from its close proximity to schools, retail and tram stops, with the development set to create more housing options within close range of jobs, community infrastructure, public transport and the Kew Junction activity centre.
VicRoads staff were relocated out of the site on the corner of Denmark and Wellington Streets, with the site also bordering the sports facilities of Xavier College.
Additionally, the future project will include at least 10% affordable homes in line with the Housing Statement, which includes a commitment to deliver 800,000 homes to the state.
“The status quo isn’t an option. We’re pulling every lever at our disposal to build more homes – that includes unlocking vacant government land to give more Victorians the opportunity to find a home in areas that are well serviced by jobs, transport and services,” said Colin Brooks, minister for precincts.
“The former VicRoads site in Kew presents a unique opportunity to deliver hundreds more homes in a popular suburb and we want to hear from the community about the types of homes they want to see.”
The rezoning would allow for a mixed-use site, enabling a commercial development on the land.
Across both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, the state government aims to deliver around 9,000 across 45 sites through unlocking and rezoning surplus government land.
The state government recently supported the delivery of thousands of homes across Melbourne’s Arden Precinct and Box Hill.
While in May, it fast-tracked the approval of more than 150 new homes near Melbourne’s Chapel Street shopping precinct under its ground lease model.
The draft planning scheme amendment at the Kew site is open for public consultation until 16 August 2024.
