Riverlee secures approval for $2 billion New Epping 'mini city' in Melbourne’s north

More than seven years after buying the former Epping quarry in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, property developers, Riverlee has won approval from the City of Whittlesea to turn the 51-hectare site into a $2 billion mixed-use precinct.

Across five neighbourhoods, New Epping will deliver a range of commercial, healthcare, residential and civic spaces that will establish the suburb as the 'new urban north' in Melbourne.

Located 18-kilometres from the CBD, New Epping will contribute more than $3.4 billion to the state economy – about 1 per cent of Victoria’s GDP – and provide 7,200 jobs once fully operational. More than 600 construction workers will be required annually on the project.

Riverlee development director David Lee says New Epping sets a new benchmark in how an integrated mixed-use development can meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.

Render of the residential neighbourhood within the New Epping development. Image supplied. 

“We want New Epping to set a new standard in urban renewal, with a more thoughtful approach to how we regenerate infill sites and integrate mixed-use communities. Diversity is key to the success in a mixed-use precinct — that is what makes for a resilient community,” he said.

Situated next to the Northern Hospital, which is the busiest emergency department in Victoria, plans include a 7-hectare healthcare precinct and a private hospital, which will deliver critical infrastructure to the healthcare sector.

City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said Riverlee’s vision to transform the dormant site will provide significant benefit to the growing northern corridor and its community.

“This landmark project will provide employment opportunities, economic stimulus and the infrastructure required to create a vibrant urban environment that is underpinned by wellness and sustainability,” Wilson said.

“Riverlee has created a vision for New Epping that builds on the cornerstones of our community — healthcare as our leading industry, the need for quality housing for people at all stages of life, and sustainability as a way of ensuring a bright and healthy future for our younger generations. With its challenging site conditions, the former Epping Quarry has laid dormant for decades. Its transformation is something the entire community can look forward to.”

New Epping’s vision for a greener future will see a central green spine and waterway rehabilitated, while built spaces will target net-zero in operation, providing sustainability benefits to enhance the urban experience and liveability.

With a focus on walkable neighbourhoods, residential plans include a diverse community of 2,000 homes, including townhomes, apartments, affordable housing, retirement residences and aged care.

Render of the a proposed reserve and creek planned for the New Epping development. Image supplied. 

Residential and commercial precincts will be connected by a civic heart, complete with parks, cafes and recreation facilities.

“By looking at design at the neighbourhood scale, we have had the privilege to not only regenerate the natural environment but also lay the foundations for a community underpinned by connection and wellness,” Lee said.

“We believe that by creating purpose-built spaces for living, working and leisure, with unrivalled amenity and integration with nature, we can truly impact the way people live for the better, and we thank the City of Whittlesea for working with us to make this project a reality."

“Across five neighbourhoods, we will be delivering a range of commercial, healthcare, residential and civic spaces that will cement Epping as the CBD of Melbourne's north. In doing so, we want to bring all the character you find in the inner north of Melbourne to Epping and in that sense, this project is ahead of its time and will redefine the suburbs of the future,” he added.