Craigiburn Residents Oppose 280-Unit Development Over Housing Concerns

Residents in Craigieburn's Brookfield neighbourhood filed a formal objection last week against plans for 280 apartments on the corner of Windrock Avenue and Bridgewater Drive.

The objection follows the Craigieburn City Council's planning meeting on 5 July 2026, where the proposal advanced to public consultation. Housing demand has climbed sharply in the suburb since the start of 2025, with new listings moving 18 percent faster than the year before.

The site sits two blocks from Craigieburn Gardens and across from the Craigieburn Recreation Centre. The Craigieburn Residents Association collected 1,240 signatures on a petition that cites traffic pressure on Bridgewater Drive and loss of open space used by families from nearby Craigieburn Primary School.

Council data released in June shows the median house price in the immediate postcode reached $485,000, up 12 percent from the same month in 2025. The development would add units priced from $320,000, according to the lodged application.

Developer's case

The applicant, Bridgewater Properties, argues the project meets targets set in the 2024 Craigieburn Growth Plan. The firm states the 280 units include 60 one-bedroom apartments aimed at first-home buyers and essential workers employed at the nearby industrial precinct. Company documents filed with the council project 1,150 new daily vehicle movements, offset by a proposed roundabout at Windrock Avenue and an additional bus stop on Bridgewater Drive. Bridgewater Properties also offered $2.4 million toward upgrades at the recreation centre.

Residents' concerns

Opponents counter that the area already faces peak-hour congestion at the Hanson Road intersection. They point to a 2025 council traffic study that recorded average delays of 14 minutes during morning rush on Bridgewater Drive. The association argues the promised roundabout will not handle extra volume once the apartments are occupied in 2028. Several households on Windrock Avenue have raised worries about overshadowing of backyards and increased demand on the already full Craigieburn Primary School.

The planning committee will hold its final hearing on 22 July. Residents can submit further comments through the council's online portal until 15 July, and the developer has scheduled an information session at the recreation centre on 12 July.

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.