Minister for Planning Richard Wynne has approved a rise in height limits around the future Parkville Station, allowing for medium-density development to drive jobs and investment close to the CBD.
Mr Wynne has approved rezoning for 130 hectares of land north of the city, taking in the University of Melbourne’s 8000 square metre Carlton Connect project.
The precinct lies between the University of Melbourne and RMIT, taking in the two universities, four hospitals and a large part of Australia's medical research institutes.
The future underground Parkville Station, to be built as part of the Andrews Labor Government's Melbourne Metro Rail project, will be at the heart of University South and connect the employment precinct to the city.
The station will be built beneath Grattan St with entrances for the hospitals, the University of Melbourne and University square.
The plans, prepared by the City of Melbourne, will provide heritage protection to maintain Carlton's historic character, and allow for low to medium-density development in appropriate areas near the station.
Changes to the planning scheme mean the land has been given capital city zoning with varied preferred height limits of up to 60 metres.
This will allow the University of Melbourne and RMIT University to expand and provide for more student living, with land rezoned to provide for new research and education facilities, apartments and student accommodation.
Mr Wynne announced the approval at the University of Melbourne's Carlton Connect complex, which is under development on the site of the old Royal Women’s Hospital. Carlton Connect will be the university's national centre for design, technology and sustainability.
Quotes attributed to the Minister for Planning Richard Wynne
“University South will be at the heart of Melbourne’s knowledge precinct, as a billion-dollar boulevard of education, health and research.”
“The precinct is going to have a massive influx of jobs and investment. This is about setting it up for smart growth, so that more people can have liveable homes, be closer to work, while making sure Carlton retains its character.”
“These plans give certainty and preserve Carlton’s look and feel. There’s a clear definition between the densely developed areas south of Victoria Street, to medium-rise buildings around Melbourne University and the residential areas of Carlton and Parkville further north.”
Quotes attributed to Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle
“I congratulate Minister Wynne. This is a very balanced approach to planning in this area. It provides for the population growth that we envisage, the activation of the area and an appropriate recognition of our past.”
“Significantly it recognises the importance of the University of Melbourne and the knowledge precinct, which is all about future job growth and our economic prosperity.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020