Garden View Estate Lalor

The project will create a new 25-lot residential neighbourhood on the former Downs Road reserve, Lalor, next to Whittlesea Public Gardens. It includes a new local street, civil infrastructure, landscaping and footpaths.

The land is currently unused and sits beside Whittlesea Public Gardens, a well-loved community park that has faced safety and visibility issues. Creating new homes along this inactive edge will improve passive surveillance, reduce anti-social behaviour and make the park more inviting and better connected to the surrounding neighbourhood.

The development will:

• Improve visibility around Whittlesea Public Gardens
• Encourage more people to use the park and its facilities
• Deliver new homes close to transport, shops and schools
• Include affordable housing
• Generate revenue to reinvest into community priorities

The development includes 25 residential lots. Twenty-two lots will be sold on the open market, while three adjoining lots are expected to be sold or leased to a community housing provider. The community housing provider will deliver houses for long-term affordable rental, helping to increase the supply of secure and affordable homes in the City of Whittlesea.

Purchasers have the option to either select from a suite of pre-approved architecturally designed homes provided by Council (or a builder panel approved by Council), or engage their own draftsperson, architect or builder to design their home. All designs must comply with Council’s Housing Design Guidelines to ensure high-quality, well-designed homes that complement the park and surrounding streets. 

The road and civil infrastructure are expected to start in mid-2027 and be completed by mid-2028. Construction of the homes can commence soon after, once the land has been titled and relevant design approvals and building permits have been issued.

Yes. The park will remain open throughout construction and access will be maintained. Any temporary disruptions will be communicated in advance.

Council is funding the civil design of the development through its 2025/26 Capital Program. Construction funding is expected to be included in Council’s 2026-27 budget, subject to approval. Revenue from future land sales will be reinvested into other community priorities.

Council carried out a broad community consultation process to help shape both the Whittlesea Public Gardens Master Plan and the proposed residential development.

This included:

• Letters sent to nearby residents and community groups
• Online engagement through Council’s Engage webpage and social media
• A formal public notice period as part of the development’s planning permit application
• A community pop-up session and workshop with local organisations
• A stall at the Whittlesea Community Festival

Council also sought community feedback as part of the statutory processes to discontinue sections of Downs Road and Sarissa Street, which included notices on Council’s website, local newspaper, and direct letters to affected residents.

Community feedback gathered through these consultations helped inform the Whittlesea Public Gardens Master Plan and guided Council’s decisions, including consideration of nearby public amenities and opportunities for affordable housing within the project.