Major Quarry Site Set for Transformation
A long-standing quarry site in Wantirna South is set to become one of the largest housing developments in Melbourne’s south-east.
The former Boral clay quarry at 191 George Street has received Victorian Government approval for a major redevelopment. The project will transform the 171-hectare site into a new residential community with around 1,750 homes.
Developers plan a mix of houses, townhouses and low-rise apartments, alongside new community facilities and open space.
What the development will include
Plans for the site extend beyond housing, aiming to create a full master-planned community.
Key features include:
- Approximately 68 hectares of parkland, extending toward Jells Park
- New walking and cycling connections
- A proposed neighbourhood hub with shops, childcare and medical services
- Sporting facilities such as ovals and playgrounds
The site, previously used for quarrying and brickworks, will also undergo environmental rehabilitation before construction progresses.
Planning process and community input
The redevelopment has been years in the making.
A planning amendment process examined impacts such as traffic, environment, infrastructure and housing supply.
Public hearings took place in late 2025, allowing submissions from stakeholders and residents before the project received approval in early 2026.
Council Watch: community concerns remain
Despite the approval, community sentiment remains mixed.
Local residents and community voices, including perspectives shared across Council Watch-style discussions, have raised concerns about:
- Increased traffic congestion on already busy local roads
- Pressure on schools, health services and infrastructure
- Loss of open space character in the area
- The scale and density of the proposed development
Some critics argue the project reflects a broader trend of high-density growth being pushed into established suburbs, often with limited local input.
At the same time, others acknowledge the need for more housing, particularly as Melbourne’s population continues to grow.
Balancing growth with liveability
Supporters say the project will help address housing shortages and make better use of under utilised land.
The Victorian Government has framed the development as a way to deliver more homes while adding parkland and community infrastructure.
However, the debate highlights a familiar tension across Knox and Melbourne’s outer east — how to balance population growth with maintaining neighbourhood character and livability.
What happens next
With planning approval secured, the project will move into staged delivery, although timelines are yet to be finalised.
Construction will follow site rehabilitation, meaning residents may still be years away from seeing the full development completed.
