Key details
Location
2 Osborne Street, Flora Hill, Bendigo
Dja Dja Wurrung Country
Policy objective
Regional development, urban renewal, housing
Project partners
City of Greater Bendigo
Homes Victoria
Overview
Development Victoria is delivering more homes in Bendigo at 2 Osborne Street, Flora Hill, bringing much-needed housing to the region.
Previously the site of the Bendigo Teachers’ College and later used by La Trobe University for student accommodation, the site is predominantly vacant aside from the historic ‘Eumana’ House which will be retained.
Development Victoria will support the delivery of approximately 160 new homes across a range of lot sizes and dwelling types, including around 56 social and affordable homes.
The Flora Hill’s historic Eumana House will be retained and incorporated with the new residential community while works continue.
Early works have commenced and are being carried out by local contractors, with subcontracting going exclusively to regional businesses, including a Traditional Owner enterprise – supporting local jobs and strengthening the regional economy.
Development Victoria is working closely with the City of Greater Bendigo, Homes Victoria and the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) to ensure the project meets the specific needs of community.
Works on site
To prepare the site for housing, early works have started, including:
- Installation of solid hoarding to safely secure the site
- Removal of vegetation (including some native vegetation) to the extent necessary
- Site investigation and remediation activities
- Demolition (removal of existing pavement and hardstand)
The works will include activity around Flora Hill’s Eumana House, which will be retained and incorporated into the new residential community, while the broader site will be repurposed to deliver new homes and land lots. Development Victoria will comply with its endorsed Kangaroo Management Plan approved under the Wildlife Act 1975.
Development Victoria is working closely with the City of Greater Bendigo, Homes Victoria, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) and the Department of Transport and Planning to ensure the project meets the needs of the community.
Latest news
View allKangaroo management
Development Victoria has a comprehensive, endorsed Kangaroo Management Plan (KMP) in place at the Flora Hill site to ensure the safety of workers, residents and kangaroos.
The plan has been developed by a qualified ecologist and endorsed by the Conservation Regulator at the Department for Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
Contractors are required to follow the protocols within the KMP when working near wildlife on the site and all activity is guided by the Conservation Regulator and an independent ecologist.
Site monitoring continues to be undertaken by an independent ecologist who is familiar with the site and the resident kangaroo population.
As Flora Hill is an active worksite, solid construction hoarding will be in place throughout construction period for the safety of the community and welfare of pets and wildlife. The hoarding has been being installed around the site, including the Osborne Street, Cook Street and Retreat Road frontages, as well as along the boundary with the adjacent athletics track. The solid hoarding will be taken down at construction completion.
Temporary signage has also been installed to alert drivers to increased kangaroo activity.
Members of the public are urged not to enter the site or interfere with fencing as it puts community, workers, and wildlife at risk. Any damage should be reported to florahill@development.vic.gov.au.
What to do if a kangaroo is spotted on site
If a kangaroo is spotted on the site, the public are asked not to intervene.
Community can report their concerns or sightings to florahill@development.vic.gov.au, and the site ecologist will be notified to follow up in line with the KMP.
If required, the site team will contact the Bendigo Animal Hospital to assist in accordance with the KMP.
For kangaroo sitings or activity outside of Development Victoria’s site, community are asked to follow the City of Bendigo’s guidelines on their website.
General
The Victorian Government is planning to deliver housing in Bendigo at Flora Hill, bringing much needed homes to the region.
Flora Hill will create approximately 160 new homes, including a range of lot sizes and housing types to meet current demands, including some social and affordable homes.
Development Victoria, as the Victorian Government’s property developer, will oversee the delivery of housing at Flora Hill. A competitive tender process to find a builder for the homes is currently earmarked for late 2026, with the successful builder being appointed in late 2026.
Staged construction is expected to be complete in 2030.
The project is proposed to deliver approximately 160 new homes, including homes for private purchase as well as some social and affordable homes.
Flora Hill will offer a minimum of 10% affordable housing (as defined by the Planning and Environment Act 1987), available for purchase or rent, with a range of homes offered at different price points to cater for a variety of potential buyers.
We recognise there is great need for more housing in Bendigo, and by unlocking land at Flora Hill we will help deliver on the objectives of the Victoria’s Housing Statement by providing more homes for purchase or rent close to existing schools, jobs, transport and services.
‘Eumana’ was constructed in 1904 and is designated as a place with local heritage significance. It includes the area surrounding the homestead and two significant oak trees.
It is subject to a Heritage Overlay and it will be retained on the site and incorporated into the new residential community.
Yes - some trees will need to be removed for the development of the site, and we have received the required approvals to remove these trees.
A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) has been approved and will be implemented to ensure the ongoing preservation of culturally significant elements within the site.
Development Victoria will comply with its endorsed Kangaroo Management Plan approved under the Wildlife Act 1975.
You can contact Development Victoria’s Flora Hill Project Team by emailing florahill@development.vic.gov.au.
Construction
A local contractor has been appointed to undertake the early works including site remediation.
Previously, the site of the Bendigo Teachers’ College and later used by La Trobe University for student accommodation, the site is now predominantly vacant aside from the historic Eumana House (Eumana). Future use of ‘Eumana’ will be considered, however the building will be retained on the site and incorporated into the new residential community.
We’re cleaning up the site to make it ready for future homes to be built. This work, known as remediation, involves the safe removal of waste and soil, as well as the demolition and removal of old infrastructure. We’re carrying out these works within strict safety guidelines to protect workers, the public and the surrounding environment. These works commenced in 2025 and are likely to finish in early/mid 2026.
Dust, noise and vibration during construction will be managed in accordance with EPA guidelines and other relevant legislation requirement to minimise any possible impact.
We understand that construction works can impact traffic and roads and we’re grateful for your understanding as we complete these works. Our priority is always to keep the community safe, informed and moving in instances where traffic management measures are necessary.
In addition to the on-site safety measures in place to manage these works, we are also:
- scheduling noisy works within standard construction hours
- keeping truck movements to a minimum during peak hours
- loading and unloading within the site boundary
- using dust suppression and real-time monitoring to ensure our works are within EPA recommended limits.
Early works are expected to wrap up in the first few months of 2026. After that, we’ll move into bulk earthworks – essentially reshaping and levelling the land so it’s stable and ready for future homes.
Updated on 05 December 2025