Final Vision for the Arden Precinct released

The Victorian State Government has today released the final Vision for the Arden urban renewal precinct, which represents the first step in establishing the Arden precinct.

The Arden precinct currently occupies 50 hectares of former industrial land bound by Macaulay Road, Dryburgh Street and the Moonee Ponds Creek, which is set to become a mixed-use precinct providing housing and employment opportunities.

Minister for Planning Richard Wynne, Minister for Major Projects Jacinta Allan and Lord Mayor Sally Capp were on hand at the site of North Melbourne Station to release the Vision.

Arden is envisaged as a new jobs hub supported by affordable housing and directly serviced by the new North Melbourne Station (formerly Arden Station) which is currently underway as part of the $11 billion Metro Tunnel project.

The new North Melbourne Station will connect Arden which is situated on the doorstep of the city to Parkville, the CBD and Melbourne’s booming western suburbs.

The Vision outlines a plan to transform Arden into a major employment and residential destination accommodating up to 34,000 jobs and housing options for up to 15,000 people.

Arden will be a new destination for Melbourne, setting the standard for urban renewal. It will contribute to a future Melbourne that is not only the world's most liveable city, but also one of the most forward-looking.  

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The precinct will have its own civic heart and character. It will remain connected to its Aboriginal and industrial heritage as it changes to support a diverse resident and worker population. It will become a new neighbourhood of Melbourne with quality and affordable housing, a thriving network of open spaces, active transport links, and adaptable community facilities, schools and work spaces.

Arden will be at the forefront of sustainable development, embracing new ways to live, learn, work and travel in an energy efficient district.  Water will be safely managed to become a visible feature in the landscape, while green spaces, trees and water will help the precinct become a cooler, greener version of the city.

The Moonee Ponds Creek corridor will be revitalised as a new green spine for Melbourne. It will be a celebrated waterway with a valued environmental and cultural heritage, serving recreational, biodiversity habitat and active transport functions. The creek corridor will be an essential link for Arden and neighbouring urban renewal precincts.

- The Vision for Arden excerpt

The Vision is the result of the extensive community consultation undertaken since 2016, and provides a set of actions to guide the redevelopment of Arden.

Actions include providing an accessible precinct for young and old, facilitating the change from an industrial precinct to an innovation precinct and delivering a strong investment in community infrastructure.

A future Arden will be environmentally sustainable with well-connected open spaces, and cycling and walking paths, for the local community to enjoy.

The State Government and City of Melbourne will now work together to prepare detailed planning for the precinct. Local community members and businesses will have the opportunity to have their say as planning for this vital project for Melbourne continues.

Arden Vision at a Glance:

Arden will:

• Create a new destination for Melbourne that is a great place to live, learn, work and visit
• Accommodate more than 34,000 jobs and 15,000 residents by 2051
• Deliver a major transport hub around the new North Melbourne Station
• Enhance the Moonee Ponds Creek corridor to become a valued asset for existing and new communities and the natural environment
• Create two new urban boulevards which will create a civic heart for Arden
• Build on Parkville’s growing role as a technology, life sciences, health and education precinct
• Provide at least 6 per cent of all new housing in the precinct as affordable for low to moderate income households
• Reinforce natural and built heritage to create a new character for the precinct
• Be developed under urban design guidelines that build on Arden’s evolving character
• Be protected by innovative solutions to manage flooding, make better use of water and expand spaces for recreation and biodiversity
• Deliver innovative community hubs and two to four new schools.

What they say...

We’re getting on with growing Arden to be a great place to live and an exciting place to work and visit. Matthew Guy botched inner city planning. We’re getting it right to create jobs, and deliver the public transport, homes and services Victorians need.

-  Richard Wynne, Minister for Planning

The Metro Tunnel will be in the heart of the Arden precinct – making it a great place to live and work, and connecting it to the rest of our city and state.

- Jacinta Allan, Minister for Major Projects 

We’re looking forward to partnering with the Victorian Government, together with our community, to put in place the right planning, infrastructure and community needs to deliver the Arden Vision.

- City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Cr Sally Capp