The Allan Labor Government has announced its target to deliver more housing in Melbourne’s inner-city suburbs Glen Iris and Fitzroy. The Fitzroy Gasworks is one of the upcoming developments in the works that will help aid this goal.
The Fitzroy Gasworks precinct will comprise over 1,000 diverse and affordable homes, including Build to Rent, close to public transport, a senior high school, open space, multi-use sports centre and commercial spaces.
The Inner North Collective Joint Venture (INC JV) – Assemble, Milieu and Hickory, with capital partners AustralianSuper and HESTA – consortium will deliver 820 homes on Parcels B and C at the former Fitzroy Gasworks site.
These parcels make up 70% of the planned homes across the precinct and will comprise 168 affordable homes as part of the 20% affordable housing requirement on the site. The homes will target a minimum 5-star Green-Star rating.
Hickory has been selected as the preferred builder for the development. Assemble will deliver around 400 Build to Rent homes in Parcel B, of which approximately 80 will be operated by a not-for-profit community housing provider, targeted at those on low incomes.
“We are delighted to be named alongside our consortium partners Milieu Property and Hickory, with capital partners AustralianSuper and HESTA, in the redevelopment of the Fitzroy Gasworks precinct.
“Together, we’re delivering around 820 new homes that meet the diverse needs of Victorians-whether our residents are renting, buying, or in need of specialist housing.
“Assemble is proud to be delivering around 400 Build to Rent homes in Parcel B, including social and affordable homes – affordable as defined in the Victorian Planning and Environment Act.
“With the support of capital partners, AustralianSuper and HESTA, Assemble is also the investment manager in respect of the 420 build-to-sell homes being delivered as part of Parcel C.
“This project represents a real step forward in providing housing choices for residents. Australia’s need for sustainable, diverse housing options is urgent, and by partnering with Development Victoria, we’re demonstrating how collaboration can unlock the kind of scalable housing solutions our cities need.
“Thank you to the team involved here at Assemble, capital partners AustralianSuper and HESTA, our project partners Milieu and Hickory and Development Victoria for their support.”
Statement from Assemble
Milieu will deliver around 420 homes on Parcel C, including an allocation of homes under license in partnership with Nightingale, and specialist disability accommodation.
“We’re transforming a site that was vacant for decades – we decontaminated it, built a new school and sports centre and now we’ll build hundreds of homes right where they’re needed.”
Premier Jacinta Allan
Amenities at both sites include a cafe, meeting and event spaces, rooftop gardens, BBQs and laundry facilities. There will be bike parks for every apartment. The final design is subject to planning approvals with a target to commence works in 2026.
“While the Liberals and the Greens team up to block more housing, we’re getting on with building more homes for Victorians, to give more families the opportunities they deserve to live in the communities they love.”
Harriet Shing, Minster for Housing
Alongside the amenities, the Allan Labor Government recently completed the Bundha Sports Centre at the Fitzroy Gasworks site.
The centre includes four courts for basketball, netball and volleyball and a dedicated futsal court, a gym, cafe and lounge area, community facilities and change rooms. A long-term operator will be appointed in 2025.
“The Bundha Sports Centre is an inclusive and accessible space for the local community to play the sports they love in the heart of bustling Fitzroy.”
Ros Spence, Minister for Community Sport
The Allan Labor Government has already delivered the Wurun Senior Campus, which opened to students in early 2022.
Moreover, The Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has fast tracked the development of a five-storey apartment building at 173 Burke Road and a three-storey apartment building on adjacent land at 28 Hope Street.
“We need more homes in suburbs like Glen Iris, so that more young people, families and downsizers have the opportunity to rent or buy a place that’s directly connected to public transport and services.”
Sonya Kilkenny, Minister for Planning
The approval was given under the Development Facilitation Program – an accelerated assessment pathway that fast-tracks well-planned projects to help boost investment, keep people in jobs and create more homes for Victorians – including affordable housing.
“The number one way to make homes more affordable is to build more of them.
“Greens and Liberals block housing. Labor builds it.”
Colin Brooks, Minister for Development, Victoria
The new homes at Fitzroy Gasworks and Glen Iris are being delivered alongside Australia’s largest housing development – the Suburban Rail Loop – demonstrating the Allan Labor Government’s commitment to building more essential housing in convenient areas.
