This is a major project to help revitalize an important site in Bellfield.

The Bellfield Urban Design Guidelines (UDG) was adopted by Council on 25 February 2019 and helps guide the future development of the former Banksia LaTrobe Secondary College site that Council acquired in 2012.

The rezoning and Planning Scheme Amendment to ready the land for sale was approved by the Minister for Planning.

Sale of part of the former Banksia La Trobe Secondary College and three parcels of land owned by Council along Oriel Road was undertaken through an Expression of Interest and Request for Proposal campaigns. An Evaluation Panel assessed submissions against Council approved selection criteria and agreed on a preferred developer. On 14 December 2020 Council resolved to sell the land to the preferred developer. A formal announcement of the developer will be made in early 2021 following execution of the Contract of Sale.

A Lease was awarded to Launch Housing for the delivery of social housing at Bellfield.

On 14 December 2020, Council resolved to award the building contract for the new Bellfield Community Hub and relocated community garden to Commercial Industrial Construction Group (CICG). The construction of the community hub is now complete!

Guiding principles

We committed to eight key project principles and objectives for development of this site:

1. Ensure the new development is designed and constructed so as to integrate with the local environment and existing neighbourhood.
2. Deliver a development of high quality built form and open spaces that are pedestrian friendly, boast environmentally sustainable design principles, meet the project design guidelines and ensure leadership through liveability principles.
3. Deliver a social housing component on the Public Use Zone land located at 230 Banksia Street.
4. Deliver a new, multi-purpose, future-proof Bellfield Community Hub that can house many community groups and uses.
5. Ensure a rigorous commercial structure and governance arrangement through the tender and commercial transaction process.
6. Enable the selection of development partners that enables innovative ways of delivering different types of housing.
7. Ensure the development is delivered in a timely manner so that the site does not sit vacant or under construction for long periods of time.
8. Ensure the development strategy delivers a strong financial return to Council to help fund existing services and future capital projects.

In 2012 Council acquired three decommissioned school sites from the State Government; Haig Street Primary School in Heidelberg Heights, Bellfield Primary School in Ivanhoe and part of the former Banksia La Trobe Secondary College in Bellfield. These sites were purchased to allow for high-end residential infill development in these areas of Banyule whilst also generating revenue for Council to enable existing community services and capital works programs to be undertaken.

Urban Design Guidelines and a Masterplan were developed to guide the future land use of this significant site in Bellfield. During 2018/19 various consultation occured to develop the guidelines and Masterplan. The Council report outlines feedback received and the minutes from the 25 February Council meeting list what changes were made to the guidelines.

The area of the former Banksia La Trobe Secondary College site was 26,422m² and consisted of two different zoned parcels; a Residential Growth Zone parcel of 15,000m² located at 232 Banksia Street, and a 11,422m² parcel located at 230 Banksia Street which was zoned Public Use Zone land. Council committed to keeping and developing the land for ongoing community use.

Immediately to the west of the former school site were three additional Council-owned properties; 96 Oriel Road (Bellfield Community Centre), 98 Oriel Road (Hi City) and 100 Oriel Road (presently vacant). The Bellfield Masterplan considered the consolidation of these properties with the former school site to provide efficiencies across the precinct and an integrated development outcome.

The Bellfield Masterplan showed how the Urban Design Guidelines can be delivered using each of our objectives in a specific, coordinated approach.

Key features of the Masterplan included a new community hub, large green corridors throughout the site, integration with both the new community facility and Ford Park, water sensitive urban design interventions, a pedestrian-friendly environment, and a supply of townhouse (rear-loaded) and apartment (consolidated parking) dwelling stock, together with a complementary retail offering on the corner of Banksia Street and Oriel Road.

Whilst some of the key locations and sizes of the proposed components of the masterplan remained (such as the community hub, residential areas, community gardens, social housing), some details of the preferred masterplan were not delivered as part of the final outcome.