A former quarry site at New Epping has been green-lit for quarry redevelopment by the Whittlesea council for mixed use plans.
The quarry redevelopment to transform the site into a community 18km north of Melbourne’s CBD, will change the Epping quarry into a five neighbourhood community comprising residential, commercial, healthcare and retail, centred around a green spine.
The project will create 622 construction jobs over its 15-year build program, and once completed will contribute more than $3.4 billion to the economy, with high requirements for involvements with local quarries and construction materials suppliers.
Riverlee development director, David Lee, said that the New Epping quarry redevelopment would set a benchmark in how an integrated mixed-use development can meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.
“We want New Epping to set a new standard in urban renewal, with a more thoughtful approach to how we regenerate infill sites and integrate mixed-use communities,” Lee said.
“Diversity is key to the success in a mixed-use precinct—that is what makes for a resilient community.”
The work is projected to create about 2000 homes with a focus on liveability with a diverse mix of housing typologies, including townhomes, apartments, affordable housing, retirement residences and aged care.
Residential and commercial precincts will be connected by a civic heart, complete with parks, cafes and recreation facilities.
“Across five neighbourhoods, the development will deliver a range of commercial, healthcare, residential and civic spaces that will cement Epping as the CBD of Melbourne’s north,” Lee said.
“In doing so, we want to bring all the character you find in the inner north of Melbourne to Epping and in that sense, this project is ahead of its time and will redefine the suburbs of the future.”
Approval of the first stage of New Epping has been fast-tracked by the Victorian Government’s Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce in December, 2020. Further permits for additional stages are expected to be lodged this year.