Merri-bek City Council Issues Permit for Coburg Health and Community Services Precinct Alongside Central Coburg Framework

Merri-bek City Council endorsed the draft Central Coburg framework plan and the 'Coburg is Here' concept in October 2025, proposing around 1,000 new apartments and 8,000 sqm of new business space. A planning permit for the Coburg Health and Community Services Precinct on Bell Street was issued on 30 April 2026, with construction expected to commence in late 2026.

The Central Coburg 2020 Structure Plan and 'Colours of Coburg' Place Framework, adopted in 2010, guide long-term urban renewal in the precinct. These documents set targets of 5,800 new dwellings and 9,805 new jobs. The recent framework endorsement builds on earlier consultation that gathered feedback from over 1,300 community members in 2023-2024.

Jobs and business space

The 8,000 sqm of proposed business space under the 'Coburg is Here' concept would provide additional commercial floor area within central Coburg. A separate planning application for warehouses, offices and a service station at 932 Sydney Road, Coburg North, reference MPS/2025/599, was received by Merri-bek City Council in December 2025. These proposals would add employment locations for residents who work locally or seek services nearby.

Services and housing

The Coburg Health and Community Services Precinct permit covers facilities on Bell Street. Combined with the 1,000 new apartments in the framework plan, the measures would increase the supply of dwellings and health-related services in the central area. Consultation on the 'Coburg is Here' concept remains open online until 18 December 2025.

The structure plan targets remain the reference point for overall precinct capacity. Residents can review the endorsed documents and the issued permit through council channels to understand how the proposals would affect daily access to housing, jobs and services.