Bundoora Council Approves Development Levy, Upgrades Three Parks

Bundoora City Council voted 6-3 on Tuesday evening to adopt two significant policy measures: a new infrastructure levy on residential developments exceeding four dwellings, and a $2.4 million reallocation from the general capital works reserve toward green space upgrades in the Plenty Road, McKimmies Road, and Janefield Drive precincts. Both measures take effect from 1 September 2026 and will directly shape what residents pay, where they can recreate, and how quickly local infrastructure keeps pace with population growth.

The votes come as Bundoora's residential population has grown by roughly 11 percent over the past five years, according to the council's own demographic service review tabled at Tuesday's meeting. That growth has placed measurable pressure on stormwater drains, footpaths, and park facilities, and the council's infrastructure gap report, published in March 2026, identified a $14 million shortfall in planned maintenance and upgrades through to 2031. Tuesday's decisions address a portion of that gap, but the bulk of the shortfall remains unfunded.

What the Development Levy Means for Residents and Builders

The new levy sets a charge of $3,800 per additional dwelling unit on any residential project of five or more dwellings, payable at the building permit stage. For a 10-unit townhouse development, that translates to a $38,000 contribution to the council's infrastructure fund before construction begins. Smaller projects, including single-home renovations and dual-occupancy builds, are exempt. Council's planning officers told Tuesday's meeting the levy is expected to generate approximately $900,000 in its first full financial year, based on the current pipeline of 237 development applications lodged since January 2026.

For prospective buyers, policy analysts note that levies of this kind are typically passed on through land and dwelling prices, meaning the cost does not fall solely on developers. The council's own financial modelling, included in the meeting agenda papers, projected an average on-market price increase of between $1,500 and $4,200 per unit in affected developments, depending on project scale. Residents purchasing new homes in larger complexes from late 2026 onward are therefore likely to see some portion of this cost embedded in purchase prices.

Park Upgrades: Three Precincts, Specific Timelines

The $2.4 million green space allocation splits across three sites. Plenty Road Reserve is set to receive $980,000 for a new all-abilities playground and resurfaced walking paths, with works projected to begin in November 2026. McKimmies Road Parkland will receive $840,000 for lighting upgrades and a sealed multi-use court. Janefield Drive Reserve draws the remaining $580,000 for revegetation and a new picnic shelter structure. Council's parks and open space team told Tuesday's meeting that all three sites were flagged as priority areas in the 2025 Community Open Space Strategy, which surveyed 1,400 Bundoora residents about recreational needs.

The reallocation was not without dissent. Three councillors voted against it, citing concern that drawing funds from the general capital works reserve would delay a planned road resurfacing program on Grimshaw Street and Elder Street, both of which appeared on the 2025-26 capital works schedule. Council officers confirmed that the Grimshaw Street works are now expected to be deferred to the second quarter of the 2027 financial year. Residents and businesses on those roads should expect the current road surface conditions to continue for at least another 12 to 18 months.

The next ordinary council meeting is scheduled for 4 August 2026. Residents can submit written objections to either measure through the council's formal review process before 29 July 2026, the closing date specified in Tuesday's resolution. The levy structure will also be subject to a mandatory 12-month review, with a progress report to be presented to council no later than October 2027. Copies of the full agenda papers, including the infrastructure gap report and the open space strategy, are available at the Bundoora Civic Centre on Greenfield Drive and through the council's online document portal.