The Victorian government has released plans to unlock land for around 2,300 new homes at La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus in Melbourne’s northeast.
Minister for Economic Development Anthony Carbines revealed that a historic title restriction on two parcels of land within the campus will be removed. The decision paves the way for residential development as part of the government’s Unlocking Strategic Sites program, which aims to fast-track the rezoning of underused land across Victoria to deliver new housing, jobs, and investment.
To ensure local housing accessibility, the site will feature a minimum of 10 per cent affordable housing. La Trobe University will now progress its planning application, which will undergo a full planning assessment and public consultation.
Once construction commences, up to AU$13.6 million captured from the value of the land sale will be reinvested into local infrastructure and community projects.
Over 10 years, the development is projected to generate AU$3.5 billion in gross regional product, supporting more than 20,000 jobs, including approximately 3,000 construction jobs annually.
The project forms a key component of La Trobe’s broader AU$5 billion University City masterplan. The wider precinct initiative aims to deliver approximately 9,000 homes while enhancing educational facilities to accommodate more than 40,000 students.
State ministers pointed out the precinct’s potential to integrate housing with local infrastructure.
“La Trobe’s $5 billion University City will drive investment, support thousands of jobs and create new opportunities for businesses and workers across Melbourne’s north,” Carbines said.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny added that the government is unlocking land to build more homes in close proximity to jobs, education, and public transport.
Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks noted that the investment will establish a thriving hub for housing, research, and innovation across the region.
“Bundoora is a great place to live, and more homes, investment and jobs at La Trobe University will create a thriving precinct for housing, education, research and innovation – benefitting the whole community,” Brooks said.