High School, 1100 Apartments Planned for Fitzroy Gasworks

More than 1000 new homes as part of the transformation of the heritage Fitzroy Gasworks site in Melbourne.

The Victorian government has released a development plan for community consultation that includes 1100 apartments, a 650-student high school, a sports centre and community facility, and the adaptive reuse of the Valve House and JH Porter Iron Store, which is being removed to Fairfield Park.

Buildings up to 10 storeys will accommodate one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with 20 per cent dedicated to affordable housing.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said about 200 of the apartments would be Affordable Build-to-Rent with a focus on energy and water conservation to provide quality long-term rental housing.

“We’re getting on with transforming the Fitzroy Gasworks site, delivering affordable housing, more open space and a high school close to public transport, making it easier and more accessible for residents to get where they need to go,” Allan said.

“The Fitzroy Gasworks site will ensure more Victorians have a great place to call home and also create hundreds of local jobs.”

Enviropacific is managing the remediation of contaminated land on the 3.9ha site.

The Fitzroy Gasworks is on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people. Between 1859 and 1927 the site was used to store and supply gas to Melbourne. Gas was stored on the site until the 1970s.

The Valve House and JH Porter Iron Store are both heritage-listed and developments are subject to heritage permits issued by Heritage Victoria for the restoration of the assets.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said the multi-use sports centre would cater to demand for more indoor sports courts, which would complement the facilities at the neighbouring senior secondary campus for Collingwood College and Fitzroy High School.

Spence said construction of the multi-use sports centre was due to begin mid-2022.

“This project will give the Fitzroy community the facilities they need, including a new multi-use sports centre so more locals can get active and play the sports they love,” Spence said.

The development plan is open for community feedback for four weeks. Following submissions, the finalised plan will then be submitted for approval to begin the redevelopment of the site.