Ivanhoe

In October 2016, Development Victoria engaged with stakeholders and the community to understand their aspirations and concerns regarding development of the site.

Key themes included:

• Traffic, parking and access
• Overshadowing and overlooking
• Height and density
• Loss of trees and habitat on-site
• Need for open space
• Cumulative impacts of development in the area

The community also felt the development should aspire to:

• Reflect the area’s rich history and heritage
• Consider amenity within the development
• Provide meeting spaces and landscaped design
• Improve connectivity and accessibility with surrounding areas
• Create a sustainable community outcome

Phase 2 of community engagement was held in March 2017 with two information sessions, for discussion of the draft master plan.

The draft master plan represents an initial response to community engagement and will continue to be developed to reflect community input and technical advice.

Following community engagement in 2016 and 2017, and rezoning in 2018, Development Victoria purchased the site from Yarra Valley Water and is now working on a draft Development Plan for the residential development.

Approximately 2,000 square metres of the site has been set aside for a new Council Park. 

With the existing playground nearing the end of its life, a unique opportunity exists to design a new park which meets the community’s needs and provides ease of access and connectivity.

Development Victoria will work with Council, Traditional Owners and the community to bring the new Council park to life.

In 18 July- 7 August 2023, Council ran community engagement on the new park. The feedback gathered helped us develop a concept plan for the new park. For details on the engagement process, and to view the concept designs, visit: https://shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au/IvanhoeWaterTank

From 8 April to 10 May 2024, we exhibited the draft Development Plan for the residential development and the Concept Designs for the Council park.

We held two information sessions to provide the community with more information about our plans and give them the opportunity to ask questions of the project team.

As a result of feedback from the community and stakeholders, we made some minor revisions to the Development Plan and Council Park design. These include:

• additional design guidelines at the planning permit stage
• measures to regulate vehicle access to and from Upper Heidelberg Road
• requirements for a Green Travel Plan and a Wayfinding Plan
• retention of the six paperbark trees along Forster Street as part of the park design

The Department of Transport and Planning has now approved the Development Plan, paving the way for much-needed housing in Melbourne’s inner north.

Banyule Council also approved the Council Park Concept Plan for the new  Council Park, which will include new play areas and spaces for the whole community to enjoy.

Concept designs for the residential development will now be created in line with these approved plans, and these will be submitted to Council as part of the planning permit process.

Feedback on the concept designs will be reviewed and considered as part of the detailed design process before Council approves the final design.

Construction on site will only commence once we have been issued a Planning Permit by Council.

Development Victoria purchased the site from Yarra Valley Water and plans to transform it into a thriving new residential community featuring a range of homes and a new Council park for the community to enjoy.

Yarra Valley Water no longer had a need for the land or the water tank (now removed) and, in accordance with government policy, the land was rezoned to allow for residential development. This will increase housing supply and affordability in a prime location close to jobs, transport, and services.

The site at 421 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe, was previously zoned as a Services & Utility area. Following community engagement in 2016 and 2017, a rezoning application was submitted and approved by the Minister for Planning in 2018. Consequently, it was rezoned to Residential Growth Zone, with a Development Plan Overlay Schedule 7 (DPO7) applied.

From July - October 2024, we safely removed the decommissioned water tank on the site – out of use since 2004 – to prepare for future residential development. In November 2024,the Department of Transport and Planning approved our Development Plan for the site, paving the way for much-needed housing in Melbourne’s inner north. Banyule Council has also approved our Concept Plan for the new Council Park, which will feature play areas and open spaces for the whole community to enjoy. Most recently, in December 2025, we appointed a Development Partner to deliver both the homes and the new Council Park.

Development Victoria has appointed PDG to lead the delivery of the new housing and Council Park. PDG has played a key role in shaping Melbourne’s skyline for decades and their experience and strong track record in quality, mixed-use developments position them well to deliver on the vision for the site – creating an inclusive residential community that complements the existing neighbourhood, while being close to healthcare, jobs, transport, retail and community facilities.

PDG will now lead the next phase of the project – preparing detailed designs for the new homes and park in line with the approved Development Plan and Concept Plan. These designs will form part of a planning permit application, which will need to be approved by the Minister for Planning before any construction can commence.

While PDG will manage the day-to-day delivery of the housing and park (once all permits are in place), Development Victoria will continue to oversee progress and ensure that the project meets the requirements of the Development Agreement. Our role is to provide oversight and support, making sure the project is delivered in line with community expectations and government objectives.

Vehicle access is proposed via Upper Heidelberg Road to reduce traffic impacts on local streets. Resident parking will be accommodated within the building.

We recognise the community's need for more green spaces and are working to deliver 2,000 square metres of new parkland as part of this development – which is almost twice the size of the current park - to provide more valuable public open space to the area. The new park will sit adjacent to the residential development, with extra landscaping and meeting spaces in between to create a seamless connection.

Sustainability is central- targeting a 5-Star Green Star Community rating, with strategies focused on integrated water management, energy efficiency and waste minimisation. PDG is committed to certified outcomes for this development in-line with industry best practice.

A minimum of 10% of homes across the site will be offered to eligible households as affordable housing. The development will include a mix of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments to accommodate different budgets, lifestyles and needs.

In October 2024, Development Victoria completed the safe demolition of the decommissioned tank and all associated services.

The tank had to be removed to make way for future residential development, following the rezoning to enable housing supply in Ivanhoe.

With the site cleared, fencing remains in place for safety until construction of the new residential development and Council park begins. The adjacent park and playground have reopened and will stay accessible until the redevelopment of the Council park starts.