Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

$250-million development of Pentridge site

The historic Coburg Prison Complex will be preserved and redeveloped in a $250-million, four-year project.

Carlton-based Stock Constructions is the successful tenderer to buy the 34-hectare site.

The development proposal, to be called Grandview Square, includes major residential, commercial, heritage, civic and tourism precincts.

Stock Constructions estimates the project will create 1800 direct jobs during construction and provide 1000 direct jobs when completed.

The Grandview Square development includes:

• Grandview Piazza, a themed tourism area including interpretive museum to highlight the prison history.
• Moreland Civic and Civic Village, with residential, commercial, small office and open spaces designed to encourage pedestrian use, including preservation of existing gravesites.
• Moreland Business, housing larger employers such as commercial and light industrial users.
• Merri Place residential, with almost 330 low and medium density, low level housing lots.
• Grandview Gardens, including residential apartments, a retirement home, and a three to four-star hotel.

The development will provide, subject to approval, a new arterial road, Moreland Boulevard, linking Sydney Road with Bell Street and allowing pedestrian use of Urquhart Street. It will also provide access to about 31,550 square metres of business and employment uses and 10,000 square metres of office uses.

The company intends to retain main buildings including A, B, D, E, F and G divisions as well as main entry features, walls and listed workshop buildings.

The company will discuss its plans with all sections of the public, and will create a project-management reference group with members of council, community and ex-prison representatives.

The company has commissioned a heritage strategy and will seek talks with local groups such as Coburg Historical Society and Merri Creek Management Committee.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Finance, April 29, 1999)