Arden Precinct

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) coordinates planning and delivery activities across priority precincts identified in Plan for Victoria as places where significant growth is being planned to deliver new jobs and homes.

Located approximately two kilometres north-west of Melbourne's Central Business District, the Arden precinct is a priority urban renewal precinct. Positioned around the new Arden Station, Arden is planned to accommodate a mixed-use neighbourhood on former industrial land.

Arden was identified as a priority precinct because of its strategic inner-city location, public transport connectivity and capacity to accommodate substantial housing and employment growth.

By 2051, Arden is expected to accommodate around 20,000 residents. New housing, community facilities, open space and transport infrastructure will help create a neighbourhood for residents, workers and visitors.

The Department of Transport and Planning works with government agencies, local government and stakeholders to coordinate planning, investment and infrastructure delivery across the precinct.

Arden Central

Arden Central will be a focal area within the precinct and represents an early stage of precinct development.

It comprises of approximately 12 hectares of Victorian Government-owned land surrounding the new Arden Station and represents the first major stage of the precinct's transformation. This is being delivered by Development Victoria (DV) and DTP.

In October 2026, government announced the appointment of Hamton and Hostplus to lead the consortium of partners and collaborators delivering Arden Central. The project will transform 12 hectares of State Government-owned land around Arden Station into a new mixed-use neighbourhood.

Arden Central is expected to deliver more than 5,400 homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable housing, alongside community facilities, retail amenities, open space, recreation facilities and a live music venue. More than 10,000 people are expected to live in the precinct once complete.

For the latest information, please visit Development Victoria – Arden.

Planning for Arden

Arden Vision

The Arden Stucture Plan and associated planning controls provide the framework that will guide development, infrastructure delivery and investment across the precinct over the coming decades. Amendment C407melb

Recent Planning Updates

Planning for Arden continues to evolve as the precinct develops.

In 2026, the Amendment C501melb was gazetted to the Melbourne Planning Scheme to support the future redevelopment of the Arden Central Precinct. The amendment introduces a planning framework for the 12-hectare State Government-owned site surrounding Arden Station and supports the delivery of housing, public open space, community infrastructure and employment opportunities.

Arden Station

Image: Arden Station, Source: Victoria’s Big Build

Arden Station, delivered as part of the Metro Tunnel provides direct rail access to Melbourne's CBD, Parkville and the broader metropolitan rail network.

The station supports the development of a new mixed-use neighbourhood and improved access to homes, services, community facilities and employment opportunities.

Frequently asked questions

The development of Arden will occur progressively over several decades as the precinct changes from predominantly industrial land to residential, employment and community uses.
Development is expected to occur in stages as housing, community facilities, transport infrastructure and public open space are delivered across the precinct. Building and development associated with the amendment will only commence once the planning permit approval process for relevant developments has been completed.
Infrastructure within Arden has been, and will continue to be, delivered through a combination of government investment and development contributions. The Arden Development Contributions Plan (DCP) provides a framework for the funding and delivery of community infrastructure to support the future Arden community.
The Arden Drainage Infrastructure Development Contributions Plan Overlay (DCPO4) provides an interim mechanism to collect levies for critical drainage infrastructure. The Department of Transport and Planning will prepare a permanent DCP in collaboration with Melbourne Water and City of Melbourne, pending further work to update the strategy to align with new climate data.
The Planning Scheme Amendment C407 includes a Public Acquisition Overlay to be applied to a small number of landholdings necessary for essential flood management works including drainage to create the proposed street network, provide open space, and other critical public infrastructure works.
DTP is working closely with businesses/organisations required to relocate to accommodate these works and will endeavour to minimise impacts on business operations where possible.
Arden is being planned as a sustainable and climate-resilient precinct. Water-sensitive urban design, extensive tree planting and the revitalisation of the Moonee Ponds Creek corridor will help create a cooler, greener urban environment.
The precinct will feature a network of parks, public open spaces and green connections integrated with future housing, workplaces and community infrastructure. These spaces will support recreation, biodiversity and community wellbeing while helping manage flood risk and improve environmental outcomes across the precinct.
Arden is being planned as a walkable and well-connected neighbourhood, with a strong focus on public transport, walking and cycling. New streets, paths and active transport connections will link homes, jobs, community facilities, open space and Arden Station, making it easier for people to move throughout the precinct without relying on private vehicles.
The precinct's location on the Metro Tunnel network, together with improved walking and cycling connections, will support convenient access to Melbourne's CBD, Parkville and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Our plans for the Arden precinct have been shaped by the insights and priorities of the Arden local community and a broad range of other stakeholders.
The community was engaged on the Draft Arden Vision & Framework in 2016, the Draft Arden Structure Plan in 2020 and on the draft planning scheme amendment in 2021.
The draft planning scheme amendment was also referred to an independent Standing Advisory Committee where submissions were received and heard through public hearings in 2022.

Got a question?

Email the team at precincts@transport.vic.gov.au to find out more about the precinct.

Transport

Updated 29 October 2026