The Allan Labor Government has approved a major new land release in Riddells Creek, setting the stage for more than 1,300 new homes, affordable housing options, and vital community infrastructure in one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regional corridors.

The Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), formally signed off by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, will transform 131 hectares on the north-eastern edge of Riddells Creek township into a masterplanned community for around 3,800 future residents.

The decision underscores the government’s push to accelerate housing supply across Victoria, particularly in regions where strong demand and limited land availability have put pressure on prices and affordability.

A Community Built for Growth

The PSP sets out a vision for a balanced neighbourhood:

• 1,360 homes across a mix of lot sizes and housing types.
• 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing, addressing growing concerns about access to the market for first homebuyers and lower-income families.
• Seven hectares of open space, including parks and shared walking/cycling paths.
• A new community centre designed to serve a population expected to swell by an additional 2,000 residents over the next decade.
• Upgrades to the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve, creating stronger ties between the new estate and the existing township.

Two rounds of public consultation informed the plan, generating more than 1,300 submissions from residents and stakeholders. Calls for better road connections, safe pedestrian links, and high-quality public spaces shaped the final outcome.

Minister Kilkenny said the plan reflects a commitment to both growth and liveability:

“Victorians should have the same opportunities their parents had, that’s why we’ve introduced bold reforms to boost housing supply in areas where people have been locked out for far too long. The Amess Road Precinct will give more Victorians the chance to call the beautiful Macedon Ranges home, while still having access to all the key services they need.”

Infrastructure to Match the Homes

Infrastructure is at the heart of the PSP. Key works include:

• A new roundabout at Kilmore Road and Gyro Close.
• Intersection upgrades at Kilmore and Amess Roads.
• Integration with previous government investments such as the Melbourne Road and Kilmore Road upgrades in Gisborne.

These transport improvements aim to ease congestion and ensure that new residents are not left stranded in car-dependent estates with limited connections to town centres and services.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said the investment was about ensuring locals could stay in the region:

“The Macedon Ranges is the best place to live, which is why we’re unlocking more land to build more homes so that people who grew up here can continue to raise their families here.”

Building Momentum in the Macedon Ranges

The Riddells Creek announcement builds on a pipeline of government-backed projects in the region, including:

• Upgrades to Riddells Creek Kindergarten and Gisborne Secondary College.
• Delivery of the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct.
• A new CFA station.
• Safer road crossings for the local community.

Combined, these initiatives represent a significant injection of public investment designed to future proof the region as it absorbs new growth.

The Affordable Housing Challenge

The inclusion of 10 per cent affordable housing is notable, signalling government efforts to embed diversity and inclusion into new estates.

With affordability at crisis levels across Victoria, allocating dedicated housing stock is seen as a way to help younger families, key workers, and lower-income households access the market without being pushed out of their local area.

For builders, this opens up opportunities in designing smaller, finance-friendly products from townhouses to compact house and land packages that align with government and community priorities.

What This Means for Builders

The Good Builder take:

This land release is more than a planning win, it’s a signpost for where the Victorian market is heading.

• Demand for variety: Builders who can offer a range of housing types from affordable townhouses to family homes on larger lots will be best placed to capture this market.
• Partnerships matter: Affordable housing targets create space for collaborations with community housing providers and brokers, ensuring product lines are accessible and finance-ready.
• Infrastructure-led sales: Buyers are increasingly weighing infrastructure and amenity as heavily as house design. Builders marketing in this estate will need to highlight the new community centre, recreation reserve, and transport upgrades as part of the lifestyle offering.
• Sustainability expectations: With open space and shared path networks in the plan, sustainability will be a selling point. Builders incorporating energy-efficient designs and outdoor living integration will resonate strongly with buyers in this community.
  

Industry Outlook

The Riddells Creek PSP is a microcosm of the broader planning and housing supply reforms now rolling out across Victoria.

As the Allan Government accelerates approvals and unlocks more land, builders should prepare for:

1. Shorter lead times between PSP approval and market release.
2. A sharper focus on affordable housing delivery.
3. Stronger expectations around community engagement, given the scale of submissions in this case.
4. Increased scrutiny on design quality and sustainability in peri-urban and regional settings.

The challenge and opportunity lies in meeting this demand without defaulting to cookie-cutter estates. Buyers want choice, and governments are demanding diversity.

For Riddells Creek, the Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan marks the start of a new chapter. For builders, it’s a reminder that government-led planning reform is rapidly shaping the landscape and those who adapt their strategies now will be the ones best positioned to thrive.

Author: TGB Editorial