Major Development Approval Granted Near Craigieburn CBD

Pepper Town Council has fast-tracked approval for a major development on Central Avenue, less than a kilometre from Craigieburn’s CBD, with plans set to reshape the city core and add hundreds of new homes and retail options as early as next year.

Urban Core Set for Transformation

The green light, handed down at Tuesday evening’s council meeting, comes at a time of rapid population growth and persistent housing demand in Craigieburn. The 5.6-hectare site, formerly occupied by the old City Marketplace car park and adjacent warehouse structures, will see the construction of four residential apartment towers, a new public plaza, and retail pavilions, creating a dense urban village environment within walking distance of Main Street and the railway station precinct.

Local property observers say the approval marks a turning point for Central Avenue, which has until now lagged behind nearby areas like the Station Square entertainment district and the Civic Park precinct in terms of investment. The project-led by Redhill Group and designed by Cranfield Architects-aims to echo the recent activation seen around Craigieburn Library and the Boxwood Shopping Plaza, both less than 500 metres from the development site. It will introduce landscaped rooftop gardens, a childcare centre, and improved pedestrian connections to Hamilton Reserve and the council’s long-mooted greenway bike network.

Demand Drives Approval

Council documents supporting the decision cite urgently needed housing supply and an expected annual population growth rate for Craigieburn of 3.1% through 2030, steeper than many comparable urban centres. According to June figures from Metro Community Data, the median price for a two-bedroom CBD apartment in Craigieburn climbed to $512,000 last quarter-up nearly 8% between January and May-and local rental vacancy remains under 1.5% in the city centre. The project cleared final traffic and environmental review in June and is projected to deliver more than 300 dwellings, with stage one apartments anticipated to hit the market in late 2027.

Construction on the Central Avenue site is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year, after preliminary demolition works planned for November. Pepper Town Council has advised residents that disruptions to parking and traffic near Braeside Road and Drayton Lane will be minimised through staged construction. Buyers and tenants can expect updates from Redhill Group as display suites are slated to open on-site in March, while the council will publish detailed precinct schedules and contact information for residents affected by works on its website later this month.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.