Victoria Government Reverses Course, Will Demolish Rather Than Retrofit Former Kew VicRoads Building
The Victorian state government has decided to completely demolish the seven-storey former VicRoads building in Kew rather than retrofit it for housing, with demolition beginning this week and expected completion by mid-July. The 2.5-hectare site has been the subject of debate for over a decade, with the government previously exploring retrofitting the 1961-built structure to accommodate 125 homes as part of a broader housing development. The government states the demolition will deliver more homes than originally planned while creating better open space and precinct connections, though specific details on total dwelling numbers and building heights remain undisclosed.
The Victorian government has reversed its previous position on the former VicRoads municipal building in Kew, announcing that demolition will proceed this week rather than retrofitting the structure for residential use. The seven-storey building, constructed in 1961, was previously being investigated by Development Victoria as a potential retrofit project that would accommodate 125 homes within the structure itself. The government now argues that complete demolition will yield superior housing outcomes, claiming it will deliver more total homes than the retrofit plan while creating high-quality open space and improved connections through the precinct. The 2.5-hectare site has been contested for over a decade, with the government planning to sell the land to developers required to allocate at least 10 percent of dwellings as affordable housing. Boroondara Council has separately proposed purchasing a thin "tail" section of the site to develop into green space and a bike path. The decision comes after inspections revealed the 1961 building would require substantial work to meet modern building regulations.
What's missing
The sources do not specify the total number of homes now expected to be built on the site following demolition, nor do they provide details on the proposed height or architectural design of the new development. The rationale for the government's last-minute reversal from the retrofit plan is not explained beyond the general claim of better housing outcomes.
What different sources said
- The AgeCenter
Kew VicRoads tower to be bulldozed this week after eleventh-hour U-turn
- Sydney Morning HeraldCenter
Kew VicRoads tower to be bulldozed this week after eleventh-hour U-turn
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