The Alphington Paper Mill site in Alphington is a 16.5 hectare parcel of land on the corner of Heidelberg road and the Chandler Highway and extending down to the Yarra River.
Amcor ceased its paper production and recycling operations at the site in late 2012, and during 2013 arranged for the land to be sold. As part of this, the planning controls over the site were changed by the Minister for Planning.
A Development Plan Overlay was introduced across the site, which specifies the requirements for the redevelopment of the site whilst retaining the existing mixed use zoning of the land.
Development plan
See the Design and Development Principles (511KB, PDF)
The vision for the site is as a major residential precinct with shops, offices, open spaces and community facilities. The Development Plan Overlay specifies the requirements for the redevelopment of the site.
See the Development Plan Overlay schedule (368KB, PDF)
Current applications
The Alphington Paper Mill site in Alphington is a 16.5 hectare parcel of land on the corner of Heidelberg road and the Chandler Highway and extending down to the Yarra River.
Amcor ceased its paper production and recycling operations at the site in late 2012, and during 2013 arranged for the land to be sold. As part of this, the planning controls over the site were changed by the Minister for Planning.
A Development Plan Overlay was introduced across the site, which specifies the requirements for the redevelopment of the site whilst retaining the existing mixed use zoning of the land.
Development plan
See the Design and Development Principles (511KB, PDF)
The vision for the site is as a major residential precinct with shops, offices, open spaces and community facilities. The Development Plan Overlay specifies the requirements for the redevelopment of the site.
See the Development Plan Overlay schedule (368KB, PDF)
Current applications
Planning permits and endorsed documents
Planning permits and Council endorsed documents relating to the Alphington Paper Mill redevelopment are available for you to download and read.
Planning permits and endorsed documents
Planning permits and Council endorsed documents relating to the Alphington Paper Mill redevelopment are available for you to download and read.
Development Plan approval
During 2014 and 2015 the new owners of the site undertook the preparation of a draft Development Plan, including consultation with the community and submission of a range of technical expert assessments.
On 2 December 2015 our councillors unanimously approved the Development Plan for the Alphington Paper Mill site with conditions including extra protections for the Yarra River frontage and the establishment of a community reference group.
The decision came at the end of two rounds of formal community consultation over 12 months, with a total of 365 written submissions and many verbal presentations to Council.
2 December 2015 Council Meeting outcomes
Council Report (379KB, PDF)
Council Resolution December 2015 (104KB, PDF)
The historic decision, taken after more than 18 months of community consultation and engagement, paved the way for the establishment of a new mini-suburb of up to 2500 homes catering for some 5000 residents, as well as commercial and retail spaces that will provide local employment. The site is owned by joint developers, Alphington Developments and Alpha Partners.
The key elements of the approved Development Plan endorsed in May 2016 include:
- 4.5% open space
- 1700 square metres of community facilities and multi-purpose sports court
- 30 metre wide buffer to the Yarra River
- 5% affordable housing provision
- 13,500 square meters of retail and commercial floor space
- Estimated 2500 dwelling in the form of town houses and apartments
Planning permits are required for the development of the site. The Development Plan guides the planning assessment and approvals which must be generally in accordance with the approved Development Plan.
Under the DPO Schedule planning applications are not publically advertised.
For more information, see the finalised Development Plan and the Agenda and Minutes (379KB, PDF) from the December 2015 Council Meeting.
Site environmental management
Due to the previous industrial use and practices occurring on the site it is contaminated and this requires remediation to a standard suitable for its intended use including residential development. This will occur under the requirements of the Environment Protection Act and require the preparation of environmental audit statements or certificates for the site. A number of audits have been prepared and are available on the EPA website.
Works on the site are being monitored by environmental specialists and hygeinists to ensure that risks to the public or the workforce are minimised and health and environmental standards are met.
Community Reference Groups
In late 2016, council appointed a Community Reference Group to enable community members to be involved in the on-going development of the site. During 2017 the Group has met quarterly.
For more information, see the Terms of Reference.
Road closures
The following roads have been closed to allow for preparation activities at the site (including truck/machinery movements between the site areas):
- La Trobe Avenue (from Heidelberg Road) Alphington
- Lugdon Street Alphington
- Parkview Road Alphington (south of the Sports Pavillion)
The roads will remain closed until further notice. There is strictly no pedestrian or vehicle access within the road closure areas.
Chandler Highway
The State Government and VicRoads upgrading of the Chandler Highway has coincided with the planning and development of the site. This has necessitated some land acquisition by the State and the integration of the road design for the site with the new design of the Chandler Highway.
Visit the Chandler Highway webpage for more information about the project.
1954 Boiler House update
The Minister for Planning considered a recommendation by the Heritage Council for the registration of the boiler house on the Victorian Heritage Register and determined not to include the building on the Register.
Further information
For further information about the redevelopment of the Alphington Paper Mill site contact us on 03 9205 5555.
Development Plan approval
During 2014 and 2015 the new owners of the site undertook the preparation of a draft Development Plan, including consultation with the community and submission of a range of technical expert assessments.
On 2 December 2015 our councillors unanimously approved the Development Plan for the Alphington Paper Mill site with conditions including extra protections for the Yarra River frontage and the establishment of a community reference group.
The decision came at the end of two rounds of formal community consultation over 12 months, with a total of 365 written submissions and many verbal presentations to Council.
2 December 2015 Council Meeting outcomes
Council Report (379KB, PDF)
Council Resolution December 2015 (104KB, PDF)
The historic decision, taken after more than 18 months of community consultation and engagement, paved the way for the establishment of a new mini-suburb of up to 2500 homes catering for some 5000 residents, as well as commercial and retail spaces that will provide local employment. The site is owned by joint developers, Alphington Developments and Alpha Partners.
The key elements of the approved Development Plan endorsed in May 2016 include:
- 4.5% open space
- 1700 square metres of community facilities and multi-purpose sports court
- 30 metre wide buffer to the Yarra River
- 5% affordable housing provision
- 13,500 square meters of retail and commercial floor space
- Estimated 2500 dwelling in the form of town houses and apartments
Planning permits are required for the development of the site. The Development Plan guides the planning assessment and approvals which must be generally in accordance with the approved Development Plan.
Under the DPO Schedule planning applications are not publically advertised.
For more information, see the finalised Development Plan and the Agenda and Minutes (379KB, PDF) from the December 2015 Council Meeting.
Site environmental management
Due to the previous industrial use and practices occurring on the site it is contaminated and this requires remediation to a standard suitable for its intended use including residential development. This will occur under the requirements of the Environment Protection Act and require the preparation of environmental audit statements or certificates for the site. A number of audits have been prepared and are available on the EPA website.
Works on the site are being monitored by environmental specialists and hygeinists to ensure that risks to the public or the workforce are minimised and health and environmental standards are met.
Community Reference Groups
In late 2016, council appointed a Community Reference Group to enable community members to be involved in the on-going development of the site. During 2017 the Group has met quarterly.
For more information, see the Terms of Reference.
Road closures
The following roads have been closed to allow for preparation activities at the site (including truck/machinery movements between the site areas):
- La Trobe Avenue (from Heidelberg Road) Alphington
- Lugdon Street Alphington
- Parkview Road Alphington (south of the Sports Pavillion)
The roads will remain closed until further notice. There is strictly no pedestrian or vehicle access within the road closure areas.
Chandler Highway
The State Government and VicRoads upgrading of the Chandler Highway has coincided with the planning and development of the site. This has necessitated some land acquisition by the State and the integration of the road design for the site with the new design of the Chandler Highway.
Visit the Chandler Highway webpage for more information about the project.
1954 Boiler House update
The Minister for Planning considered a recommendation by the Heritage Council for the registration of the boiler house on the Victorian Heritage Register and determined not to include the building on the Register.
Further information
For further information about the redevelopment of the Alphington Paper Mill site contact us on 03 9205 5555.
