Big shift for Coburg: from car parks to housing towers
The Merri-bek City Council has unveiled a renewal plan that would replace six central Coburg sites—primarily extensive car parking areas—with more than a dozen residential towers. The proposal calls for towers ranging from seven to 18 storeys, aimed at adding thousands of homes and transforming a much-used but car-dominated fringe of the suburb into a denser, mixed-use precinct.
The plan, which envisions the redevelopment of council-owned sites in Coburg’s core, highlights a broader strategy to address housing supply pressures while reimagining public space and local travel patterns. If approved, the sites would be the seed for a new urban form in the heart of the suburb, with a mix of apartments, townhouses, and ground-floor amenities intended to serve growing demand from around Melbourne’s northern corridor.
What the renewal plan involves
Key components of the proposal include:
– Redevelopment across six council-owned sites that are currently dominated by car parking.
– Construction of 15 residential towers, with heights spanning seven to 18 storeys.
– A focus on increasing housing supply in a walkable area that already features shops, schools, and public transport access.
Coburg’s renewal is positioned as a long-term project, with planning processes and community consultation anticipated to unfold over several years. The council notes that the transformation would be staged, allowing for careful integration with existing services and neighborhood character.
Why now: housing demand and urban renewal
The proposal sits at the intersection of two pressing priorities: boosting affordable housing and household growth in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. Proponents say the redeveloped sites could deliver a mix of affordable and market-rate homes, while also creating new public spaces, improved pedestrian connections, and potentially new retail outlets on the street frontages.
Critics, however, warn about the scale of towers in a historically low-rise precinct and the need to preserve the area’s character. Community groups have called for robust environmental assessments, traffic impact studies, and clear plans for local infrastructure upgrades to accompany higher density housing.
What residents can expect next
Following initial concept discussions, the council will enter a formal consultation phase. Residents and stakeholders can anticipate public meetings, feedback forums, and opportunities to comment on design specifics, such as building orientation, open spaces, parking arrangements, and density caps. Any final plan would require planning approvals and possible amendments to zoning rules before construction could begin.
Potential community benefits and concerns
Supporters argue the renewal plan could:
– Increase housing supply near transport and services, reducing commute times and car dependence.
– Bring new vitality to Coburg’s town centre with ground-floor shops, cafes, and community facilities.
– Create job opportunities during construction and in the sustained maintenance of the precinct.
Opponents, meanwhile, emphasise the risk of overdevelopment, potential loss of green space, and the need to safeguard local character. They are calling for detailed traffic modelling, climate-conscious design, and commitments to affordable housing quotas.
Looking ahead
The Coburg renewal plan signals a bold reimagining of how a central car-dominated hub can evolve into a dense, livable urban core. While the six sites mark just the beginning, the process will ultimately decide how the towers integrate with existing neighborhoods and how much of Coburg’s identity is maintained amid change. The council has reminded residents that this is a long-range project, with many milestones ahead, including environmental reviews, design competitions, and community input sessions.
