Alphington Paper Mill

Years of industrial use have contaminated the land around the Alphington Paper Mill. Before building works can start, the contaminated soil will be treated and removed to a standard suitable for people to live and work on. A large amount of asbestos has been found in the soil, primarily in the southwestern region adjacent to the riverbank. Testing has confirmed asbestos is present to a depth of around two metres. There is enough asbestos contamination across the site to pose risks to residential uses, which is why a thorough clean up of the land is required.

Environmental specialists monitor the clean up to make sure health and environmental standards are met, and risks are low.

On 11 March 2025 Council issued a Planning Permit for the Riverbank Precinct of the Alphington Paper Mills site that allows for removal and lopping of vegetation and works, including paths and trails.

Council is excited to see this region transition into a public park for the community to enjoy for generations to come, but before that can happen it needs to be made safe and this requires full remediation of the land, and replacement landscaping and vegetation.

The permit includes substantial conditions relating to the management of the land remediation and riverbank slumping, as well as detailed vegetation and landscaping requirements.
In the 30-metre strip of land located directly adjacent to the Yarra River, extending from the Chandler Highway bridge to Parkview Road in Alphington, the following works will be carried out:

• The removal of 86 trees, with a further 38 trees to be reviewed and potentially removed.
• Remediation works to remove contaminated sections of land.
• Site works, including works to manage groundwater and potential slumping, stabilisation of the riverbank and management of soil erosion.
• Re-establishment of vegetation and landscaping.

Detailed investigations were conducted in the area to determine the amount of asbestos in the ground. Environment Protection Authority (EPA) auditors will assess the area and prepared environmental audit statements or certificates for the site. A number of audits have been prepared and are available on the EPA website. Both Council’s and the EPA’s work on this has taken time to ensure that we outline the type of work needed to make this area safe for our community.

To complete the required remediation and riverbank works, a significant number of trees within the riverbank will need to be removed. To remediate the riverbank, works will require the removal of asbestos and installation of a thick layer of clean fill to isolate any remaining asbestos.

During investigations into the proposed works, it was identified that tree removal and soil remediation may result in landslide risks, riverbank slumping and riverbank stability issues. There is already slumping along the existing river path. Conditions have been incorporated into the planning permit to ensure adequate mitigation measures will be undertaken to manage these potential impacts. Conditions include requirements for substantial revegetation, further investigations into the river slumping and measures that can be done to protect this. Vegetation management plans have been added to ensure a fully developed and revegetated park is available to the community. A bond has been incorporated into this permit for $154,000 payable to Council to ensure that the park is constructed and completed to Council’s satisfaction. This security bond will guarantee that the developer undertakes all works to the level required by Council.

The planning permit issued for the Riverbank contains many detailed conditions which must be met by the developer – these relate to remediation of the land, riverbank slumping, as well as detailed vegetation and landscaping requirements.

A planning permit has been issued for the Riverfront West and Riverbank precinct.

The planning permission for the Riverbank Precinct was approved on 11 March 2025 and the commercial zone addressing Heidelberg Road was approved on 5 June 2018. This permit has been amended three times, and plans were endorsed by Council early in 2025. Council is close to approving the planning for the Riverfront Central. This is subject to a VCAT proceeding, and all going well, a permit may be able to be issued in the coming months.

Riverfront East is still under consideration with Council’s Planning Department.

Council has issued a permit for a commercial zone and approved the planning permit. The developer is responsible for attracting clients to the site. Council meets regularly with the developer to ascertain the status of the development and to advocate for action on the site to ensure that community needs are met.

However, there are no levers that Council can use to require the developer to progress the project within a certain timeframe. The community can also communicate directly to the developer, Time and Place, to advocate for more action so that the community’s needs are met.

Council approved a commercial planning permit for this zone, so it can only be developed for business purposes and the plan is to include supermarkets and other retail stores for the community. The developer is responsible for securing the businesses to occupy the sites. Council will continue to advocate to the developer on the importance of delivering the services that the local community will need.

The village planning permit for the main Heidelberg Road site includes a requirement for a ‘community space’ to be included in the development, fitted out with associated facilities, an indoor multi-purpose court including gender-neutral toilets/change facilities and a kitchen kiosk.

A number of parks are being developed throughout the site and once completed they will be owned and managed by Council.

Council wants the building to go ahead where we have issued building permits. Council is keen to see the site developed and see our residents enjoy living and working in the area. Council understands delays may happen and can extend permits on a case-by-case basis.

Council advocates to the State Government for infrastructure upgrades on a regular basis. Council is currently developing a community infrastructure plan to identify the needs across Yarra due to the anticipated increases to dwellings and population. In February 2025 Council resolved to proceed with the design and development of a refurbishment of the Alphington Bowls Club, located in Alphington Park adjacent to the development site.

Once planning permits are issued, timeframes rely solely on the developer to progress with the permit. Council will continue to advocate to the developer to get the work done as quickly as possible for the benefit of residents in the area.

Each Riverfront precinct has been or will be assessed in detail against the requirements of the Amcor Development Plan, to ensure all proposed development provides an appropriate response to this sensitive interface of the riverbank. Each precinct has been assessed on height, visual impact to the riverfront, extent of revegetation and integration with the natural environment. Council has worked with the developer to ensure that the riverfront precincts in particular respond appropriately to the Yarra corridor. This has been done through strict adherence with the Amcor Development Plan, and detailed assessments which have ensured heights of the riverfront dwellings are appropriate and the relationship with the river corridor is protected.

This has been addressed in the Riverbank permit.

Council stated that the extent and height of retaining walls and structures should be minimised including along the crest of the embankment to the satisfaction of the responsible authority. It included further details of the treatment and planting on and in front of retaining walls along the crest of the embankment to minimise the visual impact of the retaining walls.

The Heritage Council had recommended that the old boiler house on the Alphington Paper Mill site should be included as a heritage-listed building in the Victorian Heritage Register. However, the Victorian Government determined not to include it. The Boiler House was granted approval to be demolished, and these works have been completed.