The historic industrial site will become a new neighbourhood with affordable homes and open space. View the Victorian Government's vision and current works.
Find out how the Victorian Government wants to clean up and upgrade a part of Melbourne's industrial history. View the vision and current works.
The past
Fitzroy Gasworks is a 3.9-hectare site on 433 Smith Street, bordering Alexandra Parade, George Street and Queens Parade.
From 1860 the land became an integral part of Melbourne's gas infrastructure. Gas production ceased in 1927, with the site remaining operational as a construction workshop and as a gas storage point until the 1970s.
The future
The Victorian Government has proposed to redevelop the former gasworks site. It hopes to set a new benchmark for urban renewal and affordable and sustainable living. The project is currently in the planning stage.
The vision is to clean up and rejuvenate one of Melbourne's most historic and established suburbs and create a thriving urban village - diverse and affordable homes close to public transport, a senior high school, open space, multi-use sports centre and commercial spaces.
Development Victoria is managing the project on behalf of the Victorian Government.
What could the new site look like?
The final design has not yet been confirmed, but the Development Plan for Fitzroy Gasworks was approved in September 2022. It guides the design and construction of the site with:
- around 1,200 apartments
- 20% affordable housing
- around 8.7% open space
- two bicycle spaces per home
- a new senior high school for 650 students
- underground car parking
- a new six-court indoor sports centre and gym
There is an old valve house on the site, which must be retained as a significant heritage building.
Read the Development Plan
Fitzroy Gasworks Development Plan
Current works
For information on current works and project progress, visit the Development Victoria Fitzroy Gasworks page.
Yes. The site is contaminated due to its industrial history and is subject to an Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Up Order.
Excavation works will need to take place. Some contaminated soil may be disturbed during excavation and this may cause the release of odour which might be smelt by the local community and businesses.
Control measures will include covering of stockpiles and the use of suppressants to minimise any odour occurring from the works. The works will be monitored to ensure no harm to public health.
The Queens Parade service lane upgrade works will be completed by mid-2024, alongside the completion of the Fitzroy Sports Centre, which will provide much needed new facilities for the community.
These works form part of the broader Fitzroy Gasworks precinct development, which has already delivered a senior high school, and will deliver an iconic urban village with new apartments, affordable housing and public open space.