Eastern suburbs’ 20ha eyesore sits idle for almost 20 years

RESIDENTS have been waiting almost 20 years for something to happen at the abandoned Burwood Brickworks site.

The former Burwood Brickworks site at Burwood is still empty after almost 20 years. Pictu

ONE of the eastern suburbs’ largest pieces of undeveloped land is still sitting idle after almost 20 years.

The abandoned Burwood Brickworks remains an eyesore after years of confusion and stalled plans for the 20ha site.

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The land is still owned by Reading Entertainment Australia, following a failed sale bid in 2010.

Whitehorse Council completed a development plan for the site in December 2008 and Reading drew up an $800 million proposal for a mixed residential and commercial development, Burwood Square.

But redevelopment stalled when Reading announced in May 2010 that it had hired Macquarie Capital Advisors to sell the land, which was valued at the time at $46.7 million.

No sale went ahead and Whitehorse Council general manager city development Julie Reid confirmed the land was still owned by Reading. She also confirmed no new planning applications had been lodged.

Ms Reid said the council did not know what Reading planned to do with the site.

“The council would like to see the site developed in a manner consistent with the applicable controls and policies in the Whitehorse Planning Scheme,” she said.

Whitehorse Mayor Sharon Ellis said residents often asked her what was happening to the site, and were keen to see it redeveloped.

Cr Ellis said she would like to see the land used to its full potential with a mix of residential and commercial use. Burwood state Liberal MP Graham Watt agreed, saying he would like to see something done to the site.

Reading did not respond to inquiries.

AT A GLANCE

READING Entertainment Australia has owned the old Burwood Brickworks, bordered by the Burwood Highway, Middleborough Rd and Eley Rd since 1996

THE 20ha site was designated as an “extractive industry zone” but the zoning was changed in 2006 to a “priority development area”

READING planned to build $800 million Burwood Square, which would have included 700 houses, 20,000sq m of office space, a 3000-seat cinema complex, 10-lane bowling alley, gym

and childcare centre

IN 2010 Reading tried unsuccessfully to sell the site

NO NEW planning applications have been lodged