We’re building around 500 homes. This includes a mix of land lots and townhouses. We will also build green open spaces, tree lined streets and a new playground.

To support faster housing delivery through a more streamlined and coordinated approvals process, the Minister for Planning is now the responsible authority for Cairnlea and will oversee all approvals, including the Development Plan.

Our plans will reflect community feedback and will be developed using the existing planning framework within the Brimbank City Council’s Planning Scheme.

We will continue to work closely with Brimbank City Council as we work together to progress the final masterplan for the site.

Find out more in our June 2025 community update.

We are currently finalising the masterplan in accordance with Brimbank City Council’s existing planning framework. We will publish the approved masterplan in 2026 (subject to change).

Remediation continued. Find out more about the remediation works.

• The first stage of remediation is expected to be complete.
• The approved masterplan will be published (subject to change)
• Homes and lots will become available for sale (subject to change)
• We will also be progressing with relevant planning and environmental approvals to prepare for construction works.

Sales are expected to commence in 2026, subject to change. Register your email details to be kept up to date via the Overview page.

Construction is expected to commence in late 2027 to early 2028, subject to change.

Register your email details to be kept up to date via the Overview page.

A development plan provides guidelines to help guide the future use and development of a site before any permit applications are considered.

The first Cairnlea development plan was approved by the Minister for Planning. Find out more here.

The vision for Cairnlea includes a range of house sizes to support the diverse needs of the community, more tree canopy cover and open spaces. You can read the development plan here.

The first development plan does not cover the full site. Further development plans will be submitted for other areas including the future Reid Street activity area.

Remediation will involve the removal of affected soil. The soil will be taken offsite via direct excavation to a waste facility, or it will be cleaned up on site using bio-remediation processes.

Due to its former use as an explosives factory, the land needs to be remediated to prepare for future housing.

Head to our dedicated Remediation page for more information.

The trees are being continually monitored following arborist advice that some mature Sugar Gum trees are a hazard.

An arborist is a professional who specialises in the care of trees, shrubs and other plants.

A recent arborist report identified twelve trees as either dead or deteriorating and at risk of falling.

Our zoologist will undertake a pre-clearance inspection ahead of the works and will be present during the tree removal works to ensure no harm to wildlife.

As the development of the site progresses, the trees along the boundary will be removed. We have made a commitment to replace these trees with more appropriate tree species within the new development.

We will reserve the tree logs for Brimbank City Council’s Park and conservation purposes.

We are aiming for a 30% tree canopy coverage within the new Cairnlea development. Canopy cover is the percentage of ground area shaded by tree’s when viewed from directly above and we are proud to be committing to a high percentage at our development.