New Epping: Northern Hospital neighbour zoned for ‘city within the suburbs’
An Epping quarry earmarked for redevelopment is a step closer to becoming a “city within the suburbs”, potentially with a private hospital, after a key approval from the state government.
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A new medical precinct next door to the Northern Hospital, that could add a private hospital to Melbourne’s north, is a step closer to becoming a “city within the suburbs”.
A $2b plan to redevelop a 51ha former bluestone quarry in Epping includes private medical facilities between six and 12 stories high and could feature a skybridge linking them to the public hospital next door.
The state government has now agreed to rezone the land for development, paving the way for planning approvals to progress.
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Riverlee development director David Lee said he was hopeful a private hospital would be part of the mixed-use project, named New Epping, as well as up to 80,000sq m in office space and 2500 homes.
“We are pretty excited by the health precinct opportunity,” Mr Lee said.
“Especially the opportunity to offer a private hospital that could have research and teaching space as well as consultation rooms.
“We have a clean sheet of paper next to a burgeoning public hospital. And if we get the right ecosystem working there it could deliver better health care for the north of Melbourne.”
The 10-15 year project would also regenerate a section of Edgars Creek, which runs through the middle of the site, and would separate commercial and residential spaces.
Townhouses, apartments and affordable housing would be part of the development.
“It will be a bit more dense than Epping is used to, but it has the benefits of services and inner-city opportunities,” Mr Lee said.
“There’s an opportunity to attract business in the growth areas, giving a lot of businesses now travelling to the city from these areas the ability to be closer to home.
“By drawing inspiration from the best of Melbourne’s inner-city and delivering it in the city’s North, Epping has the potential to become a city within the suburbs; an epicentre of activity that will put Epping on the map as a true story of urban regeneration.”
Mr Lee said his firm could have civil construction commenced this year if planning approvals were made in the next few months, kicking off more than 5000 construction jobs for the life of the project.
A further 3100 people are expected to work at the site once it is completed.
The City of Whittlesea is currently assessing the proposal.
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