New suburb to rise from former quarry between Epping and South Morang

A NEW suburb in Melbourne’s north built alongside a quarry is set to become home to more than 6500 people.

The view to the city from Quarry Hills Park, immediately east of the planned new suburb.

A NEW suburb in Melbourne’s north built alongside a quarry is set to become home to more than 6500 people.

The State Government has approved the structure plan for the Quarry Hills Precinct on 285ha of land between Epping and South Morang.

The land is bounded by Lehmmans Rd to the north, Quarry Hills Regional Park to the east, an existing transmission easement to the south and E6 Public Acquisition Overlay to the west.

The new suburb will be home to 6600 people, include 2358 dwellings, a village town centre, sporting fields and community facilities.

A map showing where the new suburb will be built.

Land will also be set aside for a potential government school.

The 180ha of parkland in Quarry Hills Regional Park will be acquired by the City of Whittlesea.

The council and the Victorian Planning Authority considered community feedback during an informal exhibition period in August 2014.

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In a 2014 report assessing the visual character of the project, Whittlesea Council raised issues regarding the operations of the existing Boral Quarry within the site.

“The interface with the Boral Quarry will need to be carefully managed so that future residents are not impacted by noise and dust,” the report stated.

Plans will include provisions that conserve and protect the area’s environmental features and wildlife, such as the growling grass frog and indigenous heritage.

Local development infrastructure levies will raise $244,000 per net developable hectare, which will be used to pay for community infrastructure and services, such as roads, a sports reserve, kindergartens and pedestrian bridges.

Whittlesea Council has been contacted for comment.