Brief
Victorian government proposes 630 homes on former VicRoads site in Kew
The plan, unveiled on Oct. 19, faces criticism from Boroondara council over height, affordability and parking.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Victorian state government has released a masterplan to replace the former VicRoads headquarters in Kew with up to 630 homes across nine towers, two of which could rise to 16 storeys, according to documents released ahead of a City of Boroondara council committee meeting on Monday night.
What happened
The 2.5‑hectare site at 60 Denmark Street, currently being demolished, is slated for a mixed‑use development under the state’s activity‑centre regime, which relaxes planning rules to accelerate housing supply. The proposal calls for nine buildings, with heights ranging from 10 to 16 storeys (the tallest at 52.5 metres). The plan replaces an earlier, abandoned scheme that would have delivered about 500 homes, including 125 units retrofitted into the existing VicRoads tower.
What the reports add
The SMH article notes that the new plan increases the projected dwelling count from the earlier estimate of roughly 500 to approximately 630. It also highlights that the council’s own analysis flags a lack of affordable housing beyond the statutory 10 % minimum, no dedicated social‑housing component, and insufficient traffic planning. The council further criticised the proposal for allocating 579 car spaces above ground, arguing that such parking would inflate building heights and should instead be provided underground.
What was said
The Boroondara council report stated: “Instead, the proposed master plan provides for approximately 630 dwellings, compared with the earlier indication of around 500 dwellings … and buildings of up to 16 storeys (52.5 metres).” The report added that the rationale for the increased height and density “has not been demonstrated in supporting documentation, or captured in the masterplan itself.” It also urged that the council retain control of the site rather than Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.
How it came about
The site has been a focal point for development proposals for more than a decade, prized for its size, transport links and location in an affluent suburb. Earlier this year a plan to build 500 homes, including a retrofit of the existing tower, was abandoned at the last minute. The current proposal leverages the state’s activity‑centre zoning, which aims to boost housing supply and lower prices by easing planning restrictions.
Key facts
- The state plan calls for up to 630 homes across nine towers on the former VicRoads site. (smh.com.au)
- Two of the proposed towers could be 16 storeys high, reaching 52.5 metres. (smh.com.au)
- Boroondara council criticised the plan for lacking affordable and social housing, and for insufficient traffic and parking provisions. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Former VicRoads site in Kew: State government unveils plan for 630 homes in 16-storey towers”
