State Taps PDG for 275-Home Ivanhoe Tank Site Plan
One of Victoria’s state-backed infill housing sites has moved into its delivery phase as Melbourne-based developer PDG is appointed to build 275 homes on surplus government land at Ivanhoe.
Development Victoria confirmed the February appointment for the former water tank site at 421 Upper Heidelberg Road, about 9km north-east of the CBD.
The approved Development Plan said that the Yarra Valley Water tank operated “from the early 1900s until 2004”, with demolition of the decommissioned tank completed in October 2024.
The site was rezoned to Residential Growth Zone in 2018 and is subject to Development Plan Overlay Schedule 7, a planning control requiring an approved Development Plan before a permit can be issued.
The framework provides for about 275 apartments, including a minimum 10 per cent affordable housing component.
Built form would step from three storeys along residential edges to 12 storeys at the Upper Heidelberg Road and Bell Street corner.
A council park of more than 2000sq m would be delivered alongside the housing.
The project forms part of the states’s broader program to unlock under-utilised public land for housing in established suburbs close to jobs, transport and services.
Development Victoria executive general manager precincts Niall Cunningham said the appointment followed removal of the tank.
“This development will deliver much-needed housing and a bigger and better public park that reflects the community’s aspirations and adding to the local neighbourhood,” he said.
Cunningham said PDG was well placed to deliver the project.
“PDG has played a key role in shaping Melbourne’s skyline and is well placed to bring Development Victoria’s vision for the site to life by creating a diverse community complemented by open space, transport connections, retail and community facilities.”
PDG founder and managing director Vince Giuliano said the group would now move into detailed design.
“This exceptional location offers a rare opportunity to create a vibrant, connected community,” he said.
Development Victoria said PDG would prepare designs for a planning permit application expected in mid-2026 through the Minister for Planning’s Development Facilitation Program.
The agency would retain oversight of delivery.
Meanwhile, the state has revealed Nightingale Housing will deliver 70 homes on a former rail spur at Alphington, about 7km north-east of the Melbourne CBD.
The project is part of the state’s Small Sites program aimed at activating under-utilised government land, with seven homes to be delivered as affordable rentals for women and children.
Expressions of interest remain open for 10 additional metropolitan and regional sites under the program, which targets up to 1000 homes across 14 locations.
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