It’s the “next step” in the waterfront area’s $15 billion transformation into a “hub for housing and jobs”.
Victoria’s Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, has approved a planning scheme amendment (PSA) for 140 and 160 Harbour Esplanade in Docklands.
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Part of the greater Docklands urban renewal project, the state government detailed the project has attracted $15 billion worth of private investment and a workforce totalling over 73,000 workers.
The latest rezoning represents a collaboration between the state government and the Australian Football League (AFL), with the leasehold for 160 Harbour Esplanade – currently occupied by the Channel 7 broadcast centre – purchased by Development Victoria in 2018, and Marvel Stadium at 140 Harbour Esplanade being owned by the AFL.
While future designs and construction for new buildings at the sites are subject to further planning approvals, the state government relayed the rezoning will enable a range of developments across the housing, commercial, residential and entertainment sectors.
These revised development plans also follow the state government’s $225 million investment into the redevelopment of Marvel Stadium, which was undertaken to “bring world-class sporting and entertainment events to Melbourne for the next 30 years”.
Speaking on the announcement, AFL executive general manager of infrastructure, Matthew Chun, expressed that future development of the sites will “amplify” Marvel Stadium and the surrounding area as a “destination sports and entertainment complex”.
Minister for Development Victoria, Colin Brooks, said the “future redevelopment of these sites and their integration with Marvel Stadium will allow us to deliver more homes, jobs, shops, restaurants and entertainment to the Docklands waterfront”.
“Docklands plays a key role in delivering much-needed housing in Melbourne as we get on with delivering 800,000 new homes in Victoria over the next decade, with thousands of homes to be built in the precinct including a mix of market homes and build-to-rent,” he concluded.
This development follows the Victorian government’s recent announcement of the Small Sites Pilot program which will provide surplus land with potential for delayed settlement in order to accelerate medium density housing projects “where people need it most”.
