The Allan Labor Government is a step closer to welcoming thousands of residents to Melbourne's Arden Precinct, delivering more homes where Victorians want to live - close to transport, hospitals, universities, jobs, and services.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Precincts Colin Brooks today visited the build-to-rent-to-buy site where the Government launched the landmark Housing Statement last year to inspect 199 its newly-completed homes - and announce that expressions of interest are open to unlock thousands more at the nearby Arden precinct.
Just two kilometres from the centre of Melbourne's CBD, Arden is a central and connected precinct which is set to be home to up to 20,000 people by 2051.
Expressions of interest are open for the private sector, industry, and investors to partner with the Labor Government in developing the 13.5 hectare government-owned land parcel in the precinct.
Future residents will be well serviced by transport and will benefit from the new Arden Metro Tunnel train station, set to open ahead of schedule in early 2025.
The precinct is around the corner from Melbourne's Biomedical Precinct, one of the world's leading biomedical centres - providing future residents with access to healthcare as well as housing for healthcare workers.
The Housing Statement commits that a minimum of 10 per cent of the housing on government land will be affordable housing. This requirement applies at Arden.
Priority will be given to proposals that deliver quality and affordable housing for diverse residents and key workers, including options for affordable, build-to-rent, build-to-sell, shared equity, and key worker housing.
It's all part of Victoria's plan to deliver more homes in established suburbs - close to jobs, transport, education, and services - giving more young people the chance to live near where they grew up and reducing future growth pressure on families in Melbourne's booming outer suburbs.
Expressions of interest will close on Tuesday, 20 August 2024. More information is available on the Buying for Victoria Supplier portal: tenders.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"This is exactly where we need housing for 20,000 people - close to the Metro Tunnel, Parkville's hospitals and universities, and on the doorstop of the CBD."
As stated by Minister for Precincts Colin Brooks
"Arden plays a key role in delivering much needed housing in Melbourne as we get on with delivering 800,000 new homes in Victoria over the next decade as part of our landmark Housing Statement."
As stated by Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Sheena Watt
"This precinct will provide much-needed housing for our local workforce, especially healthcare workers, ensuring they can live close to their workplaces and enjoy everything Arden has to offer."
