A new neighbourhood in Melbourne’s inner-city is one step closer to construction with developers shortlisted to deliver new housing.
The Victorian government has compiled a shortlist of developers to submit proposals for the Fitzroy Gasworks project, a new neighbourhood in Melbourne’s inner-north.
The precinct will sit on the former gasworks site, which was first established in 1860. Gas production ceased in 1927 before fully closing its operations as a construction workshop and gas storage point in the 1970s.
According to Development Victoria, the project aims to set a new benchmark in urban renewal by providing affordable homes close to public transport, a senior high school, open spaces, a sports centre and opportunities for commercial businesses.
A render of what the proposed Fitzroy Gasworks precinct will look like. Picture: Development Victoria
Local Residential, GFM Group, PDG and Hickory Developments have been invited to participate in the Request for Proposal process to deliver Parcel A, the last residential plot within the precinct.
This is expected to accommodate around 350 new homes, including a minimum of 20% affordable housing. Altogether, Parcel A will make up 30% of the total housing across the Fitzroy Gasworks precinct.
Parcel A will also restore the Valve House – the only remaining building from the former gasworks site and now listed as historically significant by Heritage Victoria.
The J.H Porter Iron Store, formerly located on the council depot site, has already been restored and relocated to Fairfield Park.
“This is another important step forward for the Fitzroy Gasworks site, which is right in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most vibrant and in-demand suburbs,” minister for development Victoria and precincts Harriet Shing said.
“This final stage is an opportunity to further increase the precinct’s energy, sustainability, and housing diversity, and selecting the right development partner will help us to deliver the lifestyle and connections that young Victorians and their families want.”
What the precinct will look like
Under the development plan, approved in September 2022, the entire Fitzroy Gasworks precinct will include 1200 new apartments – with 20% allocated as affordable housing – and 8.7% of the site offered as public open space.
A render of what public spaces could look like at the precinct. Image: Development Victoria
In November 2024, the Inner North Collective Joint Venture, comprising of Assemble, Milieu and Hickory, was selected to deliver Parcels B and C.
Both parcels will feature a mix of 820 homes with a minimum 5-star Green-Star rating.
Assemble will deliver 400 build-to-rent homes in Parcel B and Milieu will deliver approximately 420 homes in Parcel C, in partnership with not-for-profit housing group Nightingale.
All packages will feature communal facilities including a café, event spaces, rooftop gardens and laundry facilities.
Currently, the Inner North Collective JV is progressing Parcel B and C design work with plans expected to be lodged for planning approval by the end of 2025.
Fitzory Gasworks already features the new Wurun Senior Campus school facilities and the Bundha Sports Centre, which includes four courts for basketball, netball and volleyball and a dedicated futsal court, a gym, cafe and change rooms.
Community feedback
The Victorian government has engaged in extensive consultation with the community to bring this project to fruition, and community members are watching its progress eagerly.
During the feedback process, the public came out generally in favour of the site being redeveloped into new homes, with strong views about retaining the heritage of the site.
“They believe the industrial identity and heritage of the site should be preserved and promoted,” a report into the consultation process noted.
Feedback also considered open spaces and parkland areas as “fundamental to the future design of the site” and community facilities as priorities.
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