TAFE Comes Down as Coburg Site Readied for Unit Scheme

Demolition works on the former site of a TAFE in Melbourne’s inner-north are clearing the way for a 275-home development.

Work is under way at Coburg’s The Avenue where a four-building scheme will rise on the former Kangan Institute site.

Delta is undertaking the early works program, due to continue until the end of the year, which include demolition of buildings, drainage diversion and site remediation to prepare the land for main construction.

Delta acting executive general manager Nemesia Kennett said the works were “an important milestone in the site’s transformation”.

Development Victoria is undertaking a builder selection process for the main works via a request for proposal campaign. The contractor is expected to be announced later this year.

Construction of the apartments is expected to begin soon after the site preparations wind up.

The project comprises a mix of build-to-sell and build-to-rent apartments—one building is dedicated to the latter.

At least 10 per cent of apartments are to be designated as affordable housing for a minimum of 10 years. Priority will be given to key workers, families, people with disabilities, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people and women over 55 for initial rental applications through a priority access scheme.

Buildings will range from five to eight storeys, stepping down from the Sydney Road frontage to De Carle Street to transition from commercial to residential uses.

The apartment mix will comprise 24 per cent studios, 27 per cent one-bedroom units, 42 per cent two-bedroom configurations split between one and two-bathroom options, and 6 per cent three-bedroom homes—99 per cent of apartments will be accessible.

Hayball Architects designed the development to incorporate red brick in the facade design, reflecting materials common to historic buildings in the area.

The project will include co-working spaces, a gym, library, nearly 2000sq m of external communal space, 400sq m of internal shared facilities, 325 bicycle parking spaces, 169 car spaces including 34 electric-vehicle spaces, and an 80sq m ground floor cafe at the corner of De Carle Street and The Avenue.

Sustainability features include roof-mounted solar photovoltaic cells supplying about 10 per cent of energy needs, water tanks, rain gardens for stormwater retention, and high-performance double glazing.

The proposal involves rezoning from Public Use Zone to Mixed-Use Zone and requires environmental remediation due to potential contamination from its historical uses.

Development Victoria is collaborating with the Merri-bek Council to create a new public park on part of The Avenue, linking to existing vacant land next to the Kids on The Avenue Childcare Centre.

The proposal comes amid broader transformation plans for Coburg including the council investigating development opportunities across 4.4ha of council-owned sites.