Make Puts Forward 110-Unit Plan for Murrumbeena

Plans for a 110-apartment block on a Crown land site next to a train station in Melbourne’s east have hit choppy waters. Make Property Group is behind the scheme for the eight-storey project planned for a 0.24ha site neighbouring the Murrumbeena train station, about 13km from the CBD. The site, acquired by the developer in 2023, is surplus government land used for the Murrumbeena Road Level Crossing Removal Project. The proposal comprises dual-aspect, high-amenity apartments above 1290sq m of retail space. The ground floor would include an 800sq m supermarket with frontages to Neerim Road and the southern railway corridor, as well as three retail tenancies and a cafe. Two pedestrian arcades would provide access from Neerim Road to the southern railway walkway. Residential lobbies would be accessed from these arcades. The design includes a plaza at the western end connecting to the Murrumbeena Station forecourt area and two levels of basement parking for 88 cars. Ten per cent of the homes would be designated as affordable housing under the State Government’s housing statement scheme, which makes the proposal eligible for expedited development approval. The project, designed by Fieldwork Architects and MALA, is being considered under Draft Glen Eira Planning Scheme Amendment. Online planning portal BCI estimates the project value at $50 million and lists Assemble as the builder. The application “seeks to rezone the site to the Commercial 1 Zone and remove the redundant Heritage Overlay … following completion of the new Murrumbeena Railway Station”, according to the Department of Transport and Planning. ▲ The mixed-use project would comprise 110 apartments and retail amenity within the Neerim Road village. But the proposal has sparked concern about its impact on the heritage-listed Murrumbeena Village shopping strip from some Glen Eira City councillors and community members. Glen Eira City Council chief executive Rebecca McKenzie said she supports “increased housing near Murrumbeena Village close to services, facilities and public transport” but has “concerns with the planning minister about this development’s height and the amount of carparking included”. But state enviroment minister and local MP Steve Dimopoulos, who’d previously advocated for developments of “no more than three to four storeys” in the area, has shifted his stance thanks to the housing crisis. “If the market feels this is now viable, then let’s go for it,” he said. “If we’re going to go with that height anywhere … right next to sky rail is quite appropriate.” The area surrounding Murrumbeena station is one of 50 designated as activity centres under the Victorian Government’s Plan for Victoria strategy, which aims to deliver more than 300,000 new homes by 2051. These activity centres will feature special planning controls specific to each location, with high-density housing and taller buildings encouraged within the “core” areas close to stations—typically within 800m of the train station or tram stop. Building heights will reduce progressively with distance from the centre. The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning selected locations after analysing transport capacities, access to jobs and services, and environmental concerns. According to the Department of Transport and Planning, “the application of the Commercial 1 Zone best reflects the intended use and development and the orderly planning of the immediate Murrumbeena Activity Centre in which the site is located”. ▲ The site is next to the sky rail line and Murrumbeena station. While new planning controls will be introduced to facilitate development, heritage and landscape overlays will remain intact, and residents will retain rights to appeal decisions and provide feedback. Murrumbeena Village received heritage protection in 2021 and is historically significant for its association with the early development of the area following land subdivision in the late 1880s. The heritage precinct features buildings primarily from the early 20th century, including late-Victorian structures. Murrumbeena Village Traders Association spokesperson Ruth Hall said businesses welcomed more customers but were “very concerned this development will further cut the Murrumbeena Village in half due to its location and the height”. Hall also raised concerns about “grossly insufficient” parking plans and potential disruption during construction. Make Property Group managing director Matt Ablethorpe defended the proposal, saying they had “actively consulted” with residents and that the site was “ideally suited for urban renewal”. The Department of Transport and Planning has received approximately 130 submissions regarding the development, and a decision is expected by mid-2025.

Make Puts Forward 110-Unit Plan for Murrumbeena

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