Places

The draft Macaulay Structure Plan has been developed using a ‘place based’ approach; by identifying four distinct precincts in Macaulay, each with its own character and qualities. These four places are referred to as Boundary, Melrose, Chelmsford and Stubbs.

The vision for each precinct will be achieved through the application of the objectives, proposals and actions outlined in the Framework.

Precinct locations

Boundary Precinct

The vision

A new urban fabric of streets and laneways provides connectivity across the precinct and broader Macaulay area. This supports people walking and riding bikes. Street trees and integrated water management contribute to a climate ready precinct.

Boundary has the capacity for higher levels of growth and change with taller buildings. The area supports a vibrant mix of uses. Retail and commercial activity is focused on Racecourse, Boundary and Macaulay Roads.

Buildings are set back from Citylink to reduce amenity impacts and create a linear open space along the western boundary of the precinct.

To support sustainable transport and manage road congestion, innovative solutions to car parking are required including precinct parking and maximum car parking rates.

If the proposed high capacity public transport corridor is delivered in Arden, the service is extended along Boundary Road to enhance public transport options for Macaulay.

  • Theme 1: Density and built form

    • Sites with multiple buildings will adopt a diversity of forms.
    • Some tall and slender tower forms will be encouraged to reduce bulk and overshadowing.
    • Buildings with wide street frontage broken into smaller sections.
    • Heritage buildings will be reused or sensitively redeveloped.

  • Theme 2: Activities and uses

    • Boundary will be a mixed use area with retail and commercial uses.
    • Residential buildings will offer affordable housing and a mix of dwelling types.
    • Area rezoned to the Special Use Zone.

  • Theme 3: Movement and access

    • Public transport corridor expanded along Boundary Road.
    • Walking and bike riding will be prioritised.
    • Excess parking space reclaimed for walking, bikes, trees and public spaces.

  • Theme 4: Streets and spaces

    • A safe new network for people walking and riding bikes.
    • Tree planting and water sensitive urban design in all streets.
    • On larger sites, new controls will allow for public open spaces.
    • Off street car parking access to improve public realm.
    • Improved Moonee Ponds Creek corridor.

Melrose Precinct

The vision

Melrose supports social connection within the community. The precinct provides essential community facilities and services with public housing, a community and recreation hub, potential government secondary school and the Public Record Office Victoria.

An upgraded and expanded reserve on Buncle Street provides improved open space. Existing streets with their broad canopy trees have been enhanced. Shops on Melrose Street and at Arden Gardens serve the local community and the broader area.

If the proposed high capacity public transport corridor is delivered in Arden, the service is extended along Boundary Road to enhance public transport options for Macaulay.

  • Theme 1: Density and built form

    • Majority of land owned by Victorian Government.
    • Work in partnership with relevant departments for future redevelopment of land.
    • Advocate to provide essential community infrastructure and services.

  • Theme 2: Activities and uses

    • A new community hub will provide additional facilities and services.
    • Small, local retail on Melrose Street with larger supermarket at Arden Gardens.
    • Advocate for new school at the Public Record Office Victoria site.
    • Advocate for additional public housing.
    • Area rezoned to the Special Use Zone.

  • Theme 3: Movement and access

    • Public transport corridor expanded along Boundary Road.
    • Walking and bike riding will be prioritised.
    • Safe and comfortable transport links to Arden will be provided.
    • Excess car parking reclaimed, on-street parking for residents retained.

  • Theme 4: Streets and spaces

    • Buncle Street Reserve upgraded to provide open space improvements.
    • Street improvements to provide a safe environment for walking and bike riding.
    • Tree planting and water sensitive urban design provided.

Chelmsford Precinct

The vision

Chelmsford will retain its valued heritage character with intact rows of workers cottages and brick warehouses. To the south, a dynamic and vibrant employment area emerges. With close proximity to the new Arden Station, small to medium sized businesses are established in a variety of workplaces including co-working spaces, maker spaces and studios. The diverse activities planned for the Younghusbands Woolstore expand across the precinct to also attract residents and visitors.

Existing streets evolve to support people walking and riding bikes. Additional street trees and integrated water management contribute to climate resilience in the precinct. To support sustainable transport and manage road congestion, innovative solutions to car parking are required including precinct parking and maximum car parking rates.

There is improved access to a revitalised Moonee Ponds Creek. Nearby development is carefully designed to avoid overshadowing of the creek corridor.

  • Theme 1: Density and built form

    • Lower building heights will respond to the narrower streets and laneways.
    • Higher site coverage provides an opportunity to increase green roofs and walls.
    • Heritage buildings reused or sensitively redeveloped.

  • Theme 2: Activities and uses

    • Mixed use area with majority new development providing commercial floorspace.
    • Situated to accommodate low-cost space for small and medium sized enterprises and startups.
    • Employment uses in the area supported by the existing Commercial 2 Zone.

  • Theme 3: Movement and access

    • Street amenity enhanced and pedestrians and cyclists prioritised.
    • Excess street parking reclaimed, on-street resident parking retained.
    • Opportunity to investigate a precinct based car parking solution.

  • Theme 4: Streets and spaces

    • Street improvements will provide safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
    • Tree planting and water sensitive urban design provided.
    • Existing bluestone laneways enhanced or reinstated.
    • Improved access to a revitalised Moonee Ponds Creek.
    • New bridges investigated to improve access to the Capital City Trail.

Stubbs Precinct

The vision

Stubbs will evolve into a mixed use area with residential development and some commercial and retail activity including a retail strip at the western end of Macaulay Road near Kensington Station.

Improvements to existing streets will continue to support people walking and riding bikes. New streets and laneways will be delivered on larger land holdings. Robertson Street Reserve has been expanded to provide additional open space. Additional street trees and integrated water management, including along Stubbs Street, contribute to climate resilience in the precinct.

There is improved access to a revitalised Moonee Ponds Creek. Nearby development is carefully designed to avoid overshadowing of the creek corridor.

  • Theme 1: Density and built form

    • Majority of the precinct will comprise mid-rise development with taller buildings fronting Racecourse and Macaulay Roads.
    • Larger sites will adopt a diversity of forms, typologies, building and street wall heights.
    • Buildings with wide street frontage broken up into smaller varying sections.
    • Heritage buildings will be reused or sensitively redeveloped.

  • Theme 2: Activities and uses

    • A cluster of shops and businesses on Macaulay Road for residents and commuters.
    • Development will provide a mix of residential and commercial uses.
    • Area rezoned to Special Use Zone.

  • Theme 3: Movement and access

    • Macaulay Road and Stubbs Street redesigned into safe, comfortable, and attractive streets for people walking and riding bikes.
    • Potential bridges investigated to improve access to Capital City Trail.
    • Bus stop access and amenity will be improved and links to railway stations enhanced.
    • Excess parking and traffic space reclaimed to enable plantings and new parks.

  • Theme 4: Streets and spaces

    • Street improvements including tree planting, water sensitive design and improved safety.
    • New streets and laneways delivered on larger land holdings.
    • Improved access to a revitalised Moonee Ponds Creek.
    • Footpath and bicycle lane upgrades.

Artist's impressions of areas within the precincts

Indicative only
Artist's impression of Boundary Precinct looking west along Mark Street towards Citylink.
Artist's impression of Chelmsford Precinct looking west along Fink Street towards the Younghusband woolstore.
Artist's impression of Stubbs Precinct looking north towards the intersection of Stubbs and Smith Streets.

Macaulay Refresh