Construction begins at Riverlee's $2 billion New Epping community
The Melbourne developer Riverlee have commenced construction at their $2 billion New Epping community in Melbourne's north.
Stage one, which was fast-tracked under the Victorian Government’s Building Victoria Recovery Taskforce, will include a mix of 151 social and affordable homes to be operated by the homelessness services provider Haven; Home, Safe, as well as the $133 million Northern Private Hospital, to be operated by Ramsay Health Care.
They will make up part of the 51 hectare New Epping, a redevelopment of the former Epping Quarry, which Riverlee bought in 2015, around 15 years after the quarry ceased its operations.
There is slated to be over 2,500 townhouses and apartments as part of the development, as well as a new health and commercial office precinct.
The stage one residences are estimated to be completed by May 2022.
It will take between 10 to 15 years to complete the whole urban renewal project which will drive $4.7 billion in economic benefit to Victoria.
Minister for Housing and Minister for Planning Richard Wynne was in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony around 20 kilometres north of Melbourne.
Riverlee development director David Lee says the groundbreaking milestone is significant for the community in Melbourne’s north, positioning Epping as the centre of activity in the region, following collaboration with the City of Whittlesea, state government and project partners to achieve the works.
“Together with our project partners, local council and the state government, we are excited to be commencing Stage 1 at New Epping –a project that will play a huge role in meeting the healthcare and housing demands of this growing area," Lee says.
"The diverse mix of housing, health and commercial uses will create a vibrant culture and community with a focus on wellness and sustainability.
“Our vision for New Epping will take urban regeneration to a new level and bring an inner-city offering to the suburbs. The site no doubt has its challenges and we thank the state government for recognising the needs of this region by fast-tracking the work under the Building Victoria Recovery Taskforce,” he says.
"Riverlee carefully selected its project partners to ensure that New Epping would be a leader in healthcare and support services for residents, with Ramsay Health Care the largest private hospital operator in Australia and Haven; Home Safe known for its integrated approach to housing and services.
Haven; Home Safe chair, Damien Tangey says that the Stage 1 residences area truly collaborative partnership project which will increase the supply of safe, secure, social and affordable housing in Melbourne's north.
“The Stage 1 residences area sound investment in the community and demonstrates how the private and community housing sector can work with government to deliver quality forms of housing in terms of architectural design, environmental outcomes, and internal space planning,” he says
In addition to the Stage 1 residences and the new Northern Private Hospital, the works include key supporting infrastructure including the development of the 11ha central green spine that will connect all components within New Epping.
Riverlee are developing the luxury mixed-use hotel and apartment project Seafarers in Melbourne's Docklands.
