A bid to rezone a former quarry site in Bundoora to enable construction of more than 700 homes has received the backing of Whittlesea council.
A private developer lodged an application with Whittlesea council to transform the former quarry site at 149 McKimmies Road into a residential neighbourhood featuring public open space, significant tree planting and affordable housing.
During a council meeting on Tuesday, December 17, council resolved to amend the Whittlesea Planning Scheme and refer the application to the planning minister for final approval.
The 36.4-hectare block of land operated as a basalt quarry from 1964 until 1992, and from 2000 accepted clean fill material such as mixed clay, silt, sand, gravel and rocks.
An independent environmental auditor has assessed the rehabilitated land and determined it is suitable for residential development.
The proposed development will include about 730 new homes, with 5 per cent social housing and 10 per cent affordable housing, in accordance with council policy.
The applicant has committed to providing infrastructure to ensure a liveable and connected neighbourhood, including two local 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 upgrade the existing roundabout on McKimmies Road and enhance the environmental values of the Darebin Creek corridor through revegetation works as part of the future development.
The application went on public exhibition in September 2023 to give residents, businesses and organisations the chance to provide feedback.
Nine submissions were received, and in February 2024, council resolved to ask the planning minister to appoint an independent planning panel to consider the submissions.
The panel released its report in June 2024, which concluded the amendment was “well founded and strategically justified” and should proceed subject to specific issues being addressed.
During the December 17 council meeting, councillors moved to address some of the concerns raised during the rezoning process.
Council’s support for the projects includes a provision to consider a secondary entry and exit point for emergency services, a requirement to upgrade the intersection of McKimmies Road and Laurie Collins Drive, and a commitment from the state government that the future design of the E6 road project will protect residents from unwanted noise.
Mayor Aidan McLindon said, “A lack of suitable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing the community. Transforming this rehabilitated industrial land into a residential neighbourhood that will deliver hundreds of new homes is a great outcome for our community”.
