Valley Lake Keilor East

Key details

Location
Valley Lake Boulevard, Keilor East
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country

Policy objective
Urban renewal

Overview

Development Victoria purchased the Niddrie Quarry site in 2000 with the intention of transforming the disused quarry into a premium residential estate, known as Valley Lake.

Since that time, the site has been rejuvenated through the development of a master plan that embraces the site’s unique location and sets a benchmark for an upmarket residential development.

Over 500 homes have been delivered on the 48-hectare site, which has a range of unique features, including an outstanding cliff face, Niddrie Lake and access to Steele Creek.

Sales of all available land at Valley Lake were completed in early 2017, with Development Victoria’s remaining responsibilities including the maintenance of some common areas and infrastructure, such as Steele Creek, cliff face restoration works, the Valley Lake boardwalk and Valley Lake Lookout - all of which were completed by 2023.

48ha project area

573 homes

30% open space

1 new basketball court and playground

Outcomes

Lakeside living featuring Niddrie Lake, the boardwalk and amphitheatre
Easy access to the CBD and nearby shopping strips
Recreation trails for walking, running and cycling, including a cliff-top walkway taking in city views
Extensive frontage to Steele Creek
30% of the estate dedicated to open space
Peregrine Park, including a basketball court and playground
Retained quarry walls, protecting the site’s character and creating a unique landscape
Contemporary architecture and streetscapes to protect the estate's unique character
Good connections to Melbourne's freeway system
Close to trams, buses and Melbourne's bike path network

Innovation and awards

Valley Lake is a demonstration of Development Victoria’s ability to tackle difficult sites.

In 2011, Valley Lake won the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Victorian urban renewal award in recognition of the barriers overcome to bring new life to the site.

Location

Lake Niddrie which is the central feature of the site, is located on Valley Lake Boulevard, Keilor East.

Development Victoria acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Custodians of the land.

Who to contact about this project

For more information about the project, or to provide feedback please contact us at:
enquiries.engage@development.vic.gov.au

construction residential Parkville Gardens

complete residential Acacia Ballarat

Was this page helpful?

Project timeline

End 2019 – several landscape areas were handed over to Council including cliff faces
Early 2020 – Steele Creek pedestrian bridge and retention pond systems completed
Late 2021 – reconstructions of the Valley Lake board walk will commence in early September.
Mid 2023 – Valley Lake Clifftop Pathway completed
2024/2025 – The majority of Valley Lake estate is under the management of the Moonee Valley City Council, with a full handover in late 2024/2025

History

Valley Lake is the former site of Niddrie Quarry, which supplied basalt to pave the roads of Melbourne from the 1940s to 1970s.

The quarry was closed in the 1970s and remained vacant for several decades.

Before redevelopment works could begin, Development Victoria undertook rehabilitation and earthworks to ensure it was safe and suitable for home construction.

Today Valley Lake is an award-winning residential development providing a unique place for the community to live. It respects the site’s history and rugged topography, while integrating sustainable urban design and architecture.