News

• 2007-03-06 - Minister hammers home Parkville aged care project

  Major Projects Minister Theo Theophanous today took a sledgehammer to a Parkville building to help make way for a new 140-bed aged care facility.

  Mr Theophanous said the new aged care complex would be built on almost one hectare of the former Commonwealth Games athletes’ village, now known as Parkville Gardens, to provide accommodation and aged care.

  “A key part of the recent Commonwealth Games was for the sporting event to provide lasting social benefits for all Victorians, including seniors,” Mr Theophanous said.

  “The aged care centre is one of many facilities designed to leave a lasting legacy from the games.”

  The 8,500 metre site will include a 140-place aged care centre, up to 52 assisted living units and a community hub with health and other support services. The site is on the former village’s north west corner, neighbouring the Reggio Calabria Club.

  Mr Theophanous was joined by John Ballard, chief executive officer of Mercy Health and Aged Care, the successful tenderer for the major aged care development.

  The aged care precinct is part of the community services being integrated into the 20 hectare Parkville Gardens development, which also includes a child care centre, community centre, parks, playground and bicycle paths.

  In addition to the aged care facility, some 100 apartments and townhouses on the Parkville site will become social housing.

  Mercy Health and Aged Care won a public tender process to secure the right to build the facility and construction will start soon after a short demolition process. Mercy Health and Aged Care’s John Ballard said the residential aged care project was due to be completed in late 2008 and the assisted living units are expected to be completed in 2009.

  “This project has been designed to integrate with the community, it recognises that residential aged care is in short supply in this part of Melbourne but also works to address the specific needs of the local community,” Mr Ballard said.

  In addition, Minister Theophanous handed back the new-look soccer facilities to the Reggio Calabria Club.

  The pitch has now been reinstated and the former club rooms replaced with new changing facilities, toilets, including a disabled toilet, and an umpires and first aid room.

• 2006-10-30 - Mercy to build aged care centre in games village

  Victorian Aged Care Minister Gavin Jennings today announced Mercy Health and Aged Care as the developer of a large residential aged care centre in Parkville where there is a scarcity of places for older Victorians needing residential care.

  Mr Jennings and the chair of Mercy Health and Aged Care, Barry O’Callaghan inspected the 8500 metre site in the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village today where a 140-place aged care centre and up to 52 assisted living units will be built. The site is near the Reggio Calabria Club in the north west corner of the Games Village.

  Mr Jennings said a combination of high land values in the established suburbs and the need for many older-style nursing homes to commit to substantial expenditure to meet Commonwealth accreditation standards had led to a drop in residential aged-care places in the inner suburbs.

  Health Minister and Member for Melbourne, Bronwyn Pike, said Parkville Gardens would enhance the Commonwealth Games legacy and fill an identified service gap for disadvantaged older people in the northern and western areas of Melbourne.

  “Both the Northern and Western regions have the highest average rate of Victorians 70 years and over living in rented accommodation – 10 and 11 per cent respectively – and we need to plan to support these residents in their later years,” Ms Pike said.
  “The complex includes a 140-bed residential aged care facility, up to 52 assisted living units for singles and couples and a community hub with a pharmacy and medical rooms,” she said.

  Construction is due to start in 2007.

  Minister for Housing Candy Broad said the announcement follows the first tenant moving into the 100-unit social housing development at the Commonwealth Games village on the weekend.

  “The Commonwealth Games has provided a lasting social benefit in the form of 100 new social housing units and townhouses and an aged care centre,” Ms Broad said.

  Mr Jennings said the Government was committed to meeting the challenges of an ageing population and the needs of the most vulnerable Victorians.

  “This facility is particularly welcome because of a shortage of aged care facilities in inner Melbourne,” he said.

  “The complex will complement other initiatives that I announced recently to provide more aged care beds through the Aged Care Land Bank pilot, increasing the number of high care residential aged care services within Melbourne’s inner and middle suburbs.”

  Mr Jennings said the Bracks Government set up a fund worth $4.8 million in the last Budget to allow surplus land in the inner suburbs to be sold or leased at concessional rates to the not-for-profit sector to provide much needed residential aged-care places.

  Under that program, Churches of Christ Community Care will develop a 90-place centre in Preston and Uniting Aged Care will develop a 90-place aged care centre in Coburg on surplus State Government land.

  “Over the past three years many residential aged-care places around the inner and middle parts of Melbourne have closed as older style places struggle to meet the Commonwealth’s 2008 certification requirements.”

  “While there is no net loss of places to Victoria, there is a redistribution to the outer suburbs, meaning that people who have lived in the inner and middle suburbs are forced to move out of their community to access residential care,” Mr Jennings said.

  “One in four Victorians will be aged 60 and over by 2021. Within that, the number 80 and over will grow at a proportionally higher rate.”

  Mr Jennings said the Bracks Government’s commitment to making Victoria a great place to live and raise a family included making sure senior Victorians were supported with quality aged care services and facilities.

• 2006-02-07 - Athletes village ready to welcome the world

  The Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Justin Madden today unveiled the last sections of the newly completed Commonwealth Games Athletes Village in Parkville.

  In recent weeks the finishing touches have been applied to the gymnasium, polyclinic and the international zone, where athletes will be able to shop, relax and host visitors.

  “Five weeks out from the start of the Games our Village is ready to host the world’s greatest athletes,” Mr Madden said.

  “All the furniture has been installed and the amenities completed.”

  The new international zone contains a range of retail outlets and leisure facilities such as a bank, post office, florist, general store, licensed bar, pool room, games room, ice cream parlour and day spa.

  The polyclinic will offer a range of medical services such as sports medicine, physiotherapy, podiatry, optometry, imaging and doping control.

  It will be supplemented by a mobile dental service which has also been installed in the village to ensure athletes have access to all necessary services.

  “This is without doubt one of the best Villages ever created in the history of international sporting events,” Mr Madden said.

  “From the restored Heritage Precinct to the new houses, we have built a world class home for the athletes and officials of the Commonwealth offering all the services necessary for elite athletes.”

  The completion of the international zone is the last major milestone in the delivery of the village.

  “With the residential zone completed, the new police station now opened and the dining hall operational, we could open the village tomorrow,” Mr Madden said.

  “All we need to do now is make the beds and stock the fridges.”

  Also displayed in the International Zone is the Indigenous artwork ‘kaarratpeeteen ween’ (message stick) by Vicki Couzens.

  The message stick in this artwork depicts the traditional language groups of Victoria sending a message if invitation to the nations of the Commonwealth who are being invited to gather to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.

  The Minister was accompanied on his tour by hurdler Kyle Vander Kuyp.

  Summary of Key Facts about the Village:

  • Athletes and officials will live in 155 permanent houses, 68 apartments, 14 townhouses and 115 cabins during the Games.
  • During the Games, the Village will be divided into six residential areas, each representing a part of Victoria. Areas include: Great Ocean Road, Murray River, Yarra Valley, Little Desert, Goldfields and High Country.
  • The full list of services in the International Zone is: ATM, casual dining, games room, internet café, police station, ticket outlet, X-Box entertainment zone, post office, florist, ice cream parlour, travel office, general store / drycleaning, engraving, phone kiosk, photo shop, hair salon/day spa, chef’s meeting hall/cinema, merchandise outlet, bank, World Anti Doping Authority, lounge and meeting rooms.
  • The gym will be fully supervised and operate similar to a local gym. It will offer free weights, resistance training, cardio machines and open stretching areas. The gym also contains the Athlete Recovery Centre, booked by teams through the polyclinic, which will include cold plunge pools, massage tables and exercise bikes.
  • The gym is fully fitted out with "TechnoGym" equipment including: 12 cardio machines (treadmills, steppers, upright bikes, elite spin pro bikes); seven pin loaded weight machines; free weights equipment and exercise mats and swiss balls
  • The polyclinic will offer a range of medical services such as sports medicine, emergency, podiatry, optometry, imaging, doping control, physiotherapy and massage therapy.
  • The main dining hall can serve up to 20,000 meals per day and can cater 1,800 in any one sitting
  • Sale of the village cabins is progressing well. Public inspection process is now completed with 450 appointments to inspect the cabins across the two days. The cabins will be released for sale via tender later in February.
  • 88 of the permanent houses have sold already, with a median price of $850,000

  The XVIII Commonwealth Games will be held from 15 – 26 March 2006 and will bring together 4,500 athletes from 71 nations.

• 2005-12-15 - Own a piece of the Games Athletes Village

  The Minister for Commonwealth Games Justin Madden today offered Victorians the chance to own their very own piece of the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village.

  Mr Madden said temporary houses specifically built for the Games were now for sale through a public tender process.

  115 temporary houses have been installed for the Games. After the Games, 20 will be retained for social housing across Victoria, with the remaining 95 available for public sale.

  “This is a fantastic opportunity for Victorians to own their own piece of Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games history,” Mr Madden said.

  Through the tender process, there is the opportunity to buy:

  • 34 x one bedroom cabins
  • 55 x two bedroom cabins
  • 6 x 3/4 bedroom cabins with 3 bathrooms and disabled access.

  “Some of the world’s greatest athletes will stay in these houses in the village making them truly unique,” Mr Madden said.

  “There has already been considerable interest in the cabins, with dozens of enquiries as to whether they are for sale.”

  “They would be great for beach or bush properties.”

  Cabins will be available for inspection by appointment in January and are available for removal from the Village in May 2006.

  All of the cabins are timber and steel frame with coloured corrugated orb sheeting on the walls and roof. The smaller cabins also have a verandah on the front.

  The XVIII Commonwealth Games will be held from 15 – 26 March 2006 and will bring together 4,500 athletes from 71 nations.

• 2005-12-04 - Athletes Village enters home straight

  The Minister for the Commonwealth Games Justin Madden today inspected progress of the final touches at the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village in Parkville.

  Mr Madden said the final stages of construction would now focus on landscaping around the houses and the completion of the streetscapes. While this is completed, Melbourne 2006 will start to install furniture and services for athletes.

  “With just 100 days until the biggest event in Melbourne’s history, the Athletes Village is nearly ready to welcome almost 6000 athletes and officials,” Mr Madden said.

  With 101 days to go to Games:

  • all houses are complete;
  • 15 sites require minor external fitting and landscaping works such as retaining walls;
  • four apartment blocks that will be social housing after the Games are complete;
  • 102 demountable houses are installed, with 13 remaining to go into position;
  • restoration works in the heritage precinct are complete;
  • the dining tent and kitchen are installed;
  • structures for athletes’ services such as the polyclinic and gymnasium are complete and ready for internal fit out;
  • overall landscaping is 80% complete, and
  • the perimeter fence is 80% installed.

  “The Athletes Village will be a fantastic home for the athletes and officials from the 71 nations of the Commonwealth,” Mr Madden said.

  “It combines state of the art design and construction with a range of environmental initiatives to make this a truly sustainable development.”

  During the Games, the Village will be divided into six residential areas, each representing a part of Victoria. Areas include: Great Ocean Road, Murray River, Yarra Valley, Little Desert, Goldfields and High Country.

  “This is a great opportunity to highlight the wonders of Victoria to all the visiting athletes and officials,” Mr Madden said.

  The XVIII Commonwealth Games will be held from 15 – 26 March 2006 and will bring together 4,500 athletes from 71 nations.

• 2004-10-21 - First Commonwealth Games Village Homes officially opened

  The Commonwealth Games Minister, Justin Madden, today officially opened the first six completed homes in the Athletes Village in Parkville.

  Mr Madden said the Village would house up to 6,000 athletes and officials during the Games and approximately 1,000 families afterwards in a benchmark inner-city suburb.

  “The completion of the first homes gives an insight into what the Athletes Village will be like at Games time,” Mr Madden said.

  “It also demonstrates some of the innovative social, cultural and environmental legacies being delivered through the project.”

  Mr Madden said environmental sustainability was the cornerstone of the Village, with features such as:

  • A six star energy rating for every house;
  • Low energy use fittings and appliances;
  • Sensor lighting;
  • Solar hot water systems;
  • Rainwater collection and reuse systems and
  • Grey water recycling.

  “It’s very important to the Bracks Government to ensure this development is at the cutting edge in terms of energy efficient accommodation,” he said.

  At Games time, the Athletes Village will include around 155 detached houses, 25 townhouses, 105 apartments and around 115 temporary accommodation buildings.

  Approximately 15 per cent of the site will be public open space and more than 1,000 trees will be planted.

  The Bracks Government is also investing $5 million to create wetlands next to the Village, to capture and treat stormwater and provide a new habitat for native flora and fauna.

  Mr Madden said 11 heritage buildings from the former Royal Park Psychiatric Institute would be restored through a $5 million refurbishment and would take on a new historical importance.

  “During the Games, the heritage precinct will act as a focal point, providing common facilities for athletes and officials over 25 days,” Mr Madden said.
  “After the Games, it will be the heart of a new residential development, offering aged and child care facilities. We are determined the Village will provide good social opportunities and facilities for the communities surrounding it after the Games.”

  Mr Madden said the Athens Olympics, which he recently attended, raised the bar in terms of the quality of accommodation expected at major sporting events.

  “We are working towards providing the best accommodation available for athletes at the Village, to cater for all their needs at the time of the Games, but we also want to ensure its legacy afterwards.”
  The Games Village is due for completion in late 2005. Parkville Gardens is a staged developed that will continue until 2015.

  The XVIII Commonwealth Games will be held from 15 – 26 March 2006 and will bring together 4,500 athletes from 71 nations.

• 2003-08-05 - Advisory committee recommends green benchmarks for games village

  The Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Justin Madden, today announced plans to ensure Melbourne’s 2006 Commonwealth Games Village achieved new environmental and urban planning benchmarks for the State.

  Mr Madden said the guidelines followed an extensive process of community consultation by the Commonwealth Games Village Advisory Committee, chaired by Chief Panel Member for Planning Panels Victoria, Helen Gibson.

  The Government and Village Park Consortium will now develop the final design of the Games Village incorporating the outcomes of this public consultation process.

  “The Bracks Government wants to ensure the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games deliver sporting and social benefits to Victoria long after the Games have finished,” Mr Madden said.

  “The independent advisory committee process has led to significant enhancements on our original plan, delivering a ‘greener’ Athletes Village and an urban precinct that will set the benchmark for future developments throughout Victoria.

  “We will also deliver much improved transport after the Games which will ensure residents have appropriate levels of public transport access and that traffic flows freely through the area.”

  Additional transport features, include:

  • A new bus route through the village;
  • Traffic lights at the intersection of Brunswick Rd and Gibson Avenue; and
  • Creation of a new road linking Brunswick Rd to the site.

  Mr Madden said the committee received 50 submissions from the community, local councils and residents and heard from more than 26 parties during 13 days of hearings. It made 130 recommendations including a revised design for the overall site.

  “The Government has agreed to 128 of the proposed recommendations – more importantly we have an agreement with Village Park Consortium to deliver the games Village on time, on budget, and within the constraints imposed in the committee report,” Mr Madden said.

  Mr Madden said the recommendations would deliver a Games Village that better reflected the environmental planning expectations of the 21st Century.

  “This announcement reaffirms the Bracks Government’s commitment to create a green and sustainable Athletes Village – 6 Star energy efficient houses will be built and 5 Star apartments – well above the standards expected for comparable developments,” Mr Madden said.

  Other key environmental features of the village include:

  • Recycling of grey water on site;
  • Alternative energy features;
  • Carbon neutral developments; and
  • Planting of new native trees.

  The Government has also improved on its plans for delivering on its commitment to provide 200 public and social housing dwellings.

  “We have achieved greater integration of public and social housing across the site which is an excellent example of how non-private housing can be incorporated into a dynamic and contemporary housing development,” Mr Madden said.

  Mr Madden said the Government had also accepted the views of the City of Melbourne and the City of Moreland to increase densities in line with the Government’s 2030 Planning Policy.

  “We accept their position relating to appropriate densities for the conversion of a disused psychiatric institution to a thriving modern urban community,” Mr Madden said.

  “The Advisory Committee also supports both councils’ view, that a variation in apartment building heights would provide a more dynamic and exciting addition to Melbourne’s urban form. The average height will remain six storeys, however three buildings will be 11 storeys to provide a counterpoint to the Melbourne Gateway.”

  Mr Madden said the Government had also accepted the Advisory Committee’s recommendation to adopt a revised design that enables a greater number of heritage buildings to be retained.

  “I’m pleased to approve a development that sees 9 heritage buildings, instead of 7, retained – showcasing the positive elements of the former psychiatric institution’s design,” he said.

  The Government has also supported the Advisory Committee’s recommendation that 31 trees are of sufficient quality to be retained. An expert survey was undertaken to decide what trees merited retention.

  “All trees that were classified as ‘low value’ in the independent report will be replaced with new healthy trees, positioned in the best way to enhance the urban design. The low quality introduced species will be replaced with varieties that are native to the local environment.

  “There will be no net loss of trees as a result of the development with an extensive landscaping and tree planting program to be delivered, ” Mr Madden said.

  A copy of the Advisory Committee Recommendations and the Government’s determination are available at www.dvc.vic.gov.au.
  

• 2003-03-17 - Public submission on games village development called for

  The Minister for the Commonwealth Games today announced the venues for public viewing of the Games Village plans. This announcement is part of the Commonwealth Games Village Advisory Committee process.

  “As part of the Government’s commitment to public consultation we are asking interested parties to take part in this consultation process,” he said

  “This process is designed to enable interested parties to review the proposal, and to make submissions to the Advisory Committee on issues that are of concern to them.”

  The Village proposal being displayed has been prepared by Village Park Consortium comprising Australand Holdings and Citta Park Property Group. The proposal is being exhibited both as a public display in a number of locations, as well as in the form of a comprehensive submission to the Advisory Committee.

  The proposal will be on exhibition from Monday 17 March 2003 until Wednesday 16 April 2003 at the following venues:

  • Foyer, Brunswick Town Hall
    233 Sydney Road, Brunswick
    Opening hours: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
    Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
    
  • Information Victoria
    356 Collins Street, Melbourne
    Opening hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
    Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
    
  • Games Village Site - Clinical Services Building
    Access on Park Street, Parkville
    Opening hours: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
    Monday to Friday (except Thursday 10:00 am - 9:00 pm)
    Saturday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

  “Members of the community will have the opportunity to have their say on the details of the proposed development of the Commonwealth Games Village in Parkville including a proposal by the developers to alter the height limits,” Minister Madden said.

  “These proposals will be subject to consideration by the Advisory Committee as will any other submission.”

  The Advisory Committee is inviting written public submissions on the proposal by the 16 April 2003. Submissions should be forwarded to:

  Commonwealth Games Planning Advisory Committee (Games Village)
  c/o Planning Panels Victoria
  Level 11 Nauru House
  80 Collins Street
  Melbourne VIC 3000

  Public hearings will be held in May. The Committee will then consider the proposal and the public submissions, and report back to the Minister for Commonwealth Games, Justin Madden, in late June.

  The government is expected to make a determination on the final scope of the Commonwealth Games Village in July.

  Information on the public display venues, the proposal documents and the Committee’s Terms of Reference are available at http://www.dvc.vic.gov.au by following the links to the Games Village Advisory Committee. Alternatively, for further information on the Advisory Committee process, please contact Farah Bach on 9655 2041.
  

• 2003-02-25 - Public consultation process begins for the Commonwealth Games village

  Members of the community will have the opportunity to have their say on the development of the Commonwealth Games Village in Parkville, with the formation today of an independent planning Advisory Committee.

  The Minister for Commonwealth Games, Justin Madden, said the Committee would call for written submissions next month, followed by public hearings to be held in May.

  "The Advisory Committee must provide a report to me by 20 June with advice on a broad range of environmental, design, transport, planning and heritage issues relating to the Games Village development," Mr Madden said.

  "The Games Village development will create an important legacy for Victoria, including providing future social housing for 200 households and $15 million worth of environmental initiatives."

  The Commonwealth Games Advisory Committee (Games Village) members are Ms Helen Gibson (Chair), Ms Ann Keddie, Mr Jim Webber and Dr Brian Robinson.

  Ms Gibson (Chairperson) is currently the Chief Panel Member for Planning Panels Victoria. She is a planning lawyer, and has a strong background in assessing a broad range of planning and environmental effects of development proposals.

  Ms Ann Keddie (Member) is a practising architect, a former member of the Heritage Council, and has extensive experience dealing with design and planning issues including housing and community projects.

  Mr Jim Webber (Member) is a consultant with extensive experience in planning, transport urban design, community consultation and project management.

  Dr Brian Robinson (Member), the former head of the Environment Protection Authority, has extensive experience with environmental issues and has been the Chair and Convenor of various environmental committees over the past 25 years.

  "These committee members have been selected for their knowledge and their considerable experience in planning and project management,” he said.

  Mr Madden said more information on the consultation process would be sent to local residents in the next few weeks.

   

• 2002-10-23 - Premier launches green Commonwealth Games Village

  The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Village will be one of the greenest developments built in Victoria, Premier Steve Bracks announced today.

  Australand Holdings has been appointed to develop the site of the old psychiatric hospital at Parkville after an exhaustive tender process.

  The development will house and cater for 6000 athletes and officials. It will include permanent and temporary accommodation, a media centre, dining hall, training and medical facilities and other community areas.

  Mr Bracks said he was proud the Government had achieved an additional 200 public housing units as a permanent legacy of Melbourne hosting the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

  The key features of the 20-hectare Parkville development include:

  • Mostly one and two storey detached houses, with an innovatively-designed linear apartment building along the freeway wall to buffer the site from the Tullamarine Freeway;
  • Incorporation of innovative environmental design features including a 5-star energy rating for all houses;
  • An additional four hectares of new park and another four hectares of public areas, including pocket parks and shared pathways;
  • Retention of existing significant trees;
  • A showcase 21st century residential development;
  • Retention of significant heritage buildings;
  • Located within easy reach of the CBD and major sporting venues;
  • Disabled access to buildings;
  • After the Games, social housing for 200 households will be integrated across the site.

  Mr Bracks said the Parkville development would deliver a win for both the Commonwealth Games athletes and the people of Victoria.

  “The Village will provide a world-class facility for the athletes and will deliver long-term environmental, social and economic benefits for Melbourne,” he said.

  The project will deliver over 400 new jobs over the next five to six years.

  The government’s total development cost of $144.3 million will be offset by revenue from housing sales of approximately $58 million, leaving a net cost of $85.4 million.

  Mr Bracks said this net cost included $50 million in enduring public assets for Victorians including, social housing and environmental features.

  “Our decision to create this lasting legacy goes beyond the vision of the original bid document and reflects the Government’s strong commitment to social and environmental policies,” Mr Bracks said.

  “The Parkville Commonwealth Games Village will showcase an inner urban development that will not only lead the way in sustainable development but will deliver much needed community facilities and social housing for Victoria long after the Games are finished.

  “The effective staging and professional presentation of the Commonwealth Games will reinforce Melbourne's position as one of the sporting capitals of the world and provide an opportunity for extensive international promotion.”

  The Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Justin Madden, said the development at Parkville would provide a world-class facility for the 6,000 athletes and officials attending the Games.

  Mr Madden said the Parkville site had been selected over other bids as it provided the greatest legacy for the people of Victoria.

  “We will also look at other infrastructure needs, including schools and transport, that may be needed after the Games,” he said.

  “The Docklands bid would have required high-rise office space being converted to housing for the Games, and then converted back to office space afterwards. The government would also have been forced to commit to a 20-year leasing of this space.

  “The other Parkville bid was more expensive and did not rate as highly in several of the key selection criteria.”

  Mr Madden said most athletes would be accommodated in single or double storey buildings, the style of accommodation they prefer over high-rise developments proposed on other sites.

  “The Village incorporates a number of environmental design features, including the investment in the City of Melbourne’s Royal Park wetlands, roof water collection for toilet flushing, grey water recycling and solar/gas hot water. All houses will have a 5-star energy rating,” he said.

  The post-games development will encompass up to 1,000 households. Construction will commence in mid-2003.

  The site is located within easy reach of the city and community and sporting facilities, being less than five kms from the CBD, 20 minutes to all major Games venues and 20 minutes to the airport. Other attractions such as Melbourne Zoo and Royal Park are a short walk from the site.

  Mr Madden said a comprehensive public consultation process would be undertaken before the proposed plan is finalised in April/May 2003. A formal consultation process will occur between January and March 2003 with specific focus on the impacts of the proposed development on surrounding communities, and will assess the need for additional community services.