The Northside Communities Public Housing Renewal Program is an ambitious initiative aimed at revitalising public housing estates across Melbourne.
Appointed as Independent Assessors, DCWC has been overseeing the redevelopment across multiple public housing estates. The result will be a total of 1,100 new dwellings, including a mix-tenure of public housing, community housing, apartments and townhouses across three key sites: Abbotsford Street in North Melbourne (Molesworth Place), Walker Street in Northcote (Merri Northcote), and Oakover Road in Preston (Preston Crossing). These projects emphasise exceptional design, community integration, and sustainability elements with the goal of enhancing urban life and strengthening community ties. Completion is anticipated in stages, with various sites already completed with others sites set to finish between late 2024 and late 2026.
Abbotsford Street, North Melbourne
Situated just 1 km north of Melbourne's city centre, the Abbotsford Street redevelopment replaces 112 outdated homes with over 340 modern social and market housing units. Designed by McBride Charles Ryan, the project includes a residents' lounge, green open spaces, and internal courtyards linking one apartment with another to promote a sense of community. The first two stages of development, completed in late 2024, features apartments with one, two, three and four bedrooms, and townhouses with four bedrooms configurations.
Walker Street, Northcote
Located 5 km north of the city centre, the Walker Street redevelopment project aims to transform 87 unsuitable social homes into over 250 new residences, including 99 social homes and 151 market homes. Designed by Six Degrees Architects, the development focuses on maximising sunlight and scenic views while promoting environmental harmony. It features a community room and a comprehensive network of courtyards, creating inviting spaces for both residents and the local community to enjoy. The project is scheduled for completion in mid - late 2025.
Oakover Road, Preston
The Oakover Road site, situated 8 km north of Melbourne's city centre, will replace 26 outdated social homes with 296 energy-efficient residences. So far, 99 social homes and 78 of the 197 market homes have been completed. A collaborative design approach was taken for this site for the recently completed projects, with Hayball Architects responsible for Oakover Apartments, Breathe Architecture for Nightingale Apartments, and Archier for Market Townhouses. The redevelopment will feature a rooftop terrace for social housing residents, a community gallery, and green open spaces to promote interaction and community engagement. The whole project is expected to be completed by late 2026.
Through these efforts, the Northside Communities Public Housing Renewal Program seeks to create vibrant and sustainable communities that enhance the quality of life for residents and promote social integration.
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Abbotsford St, North Melbourne. Images courtesy of MAB Corporation.
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