Minister for Planning Richard Wynne today approved an amendment to the Melbourne Planning Scheme, paving the way for construction to commence on Carlton Connect, a major University of Melbourne project being developed in partnership with Lendlease at the site of the old Royal Women’s Hospital in Carlton.

Photo: bulletpoint

The world-class development will create more than 3,000 direct jobs and more than 5,000 indirect jobs – a stones throw from the future Parkville Station as part of the Metro Tunnel and right in the heart of the Parkville National Employment and Innovation Cluster.

Carlton Connect will house world-leading industries, academics, entrepreneurs and researchers under one roof – and they’ll be driving Victoria’s status as a first-class destination for Australia’s innovation, productivity and sustainability agendas.

The precinct will feature office space for start-ups and industry partners, a ‘superfloor’ collaboration space and a FabLab prototyping facility to test and manufacture new products.

The development will also be home to the Science Gallery Melbourne and will include accommodation for more than 500 students, retail, childcare and public open spaces.

National Employment and Innovation Clusters are a key feature of Plan Melbourne – the Labor Government’s blueprint to make the most of a growing population. The clusters are based all over Melbourne, and are our way of driving down congestion and ensuring people spend less time commuting, and more doing things they enjoy.

Construction will begin later this year and take about two years to complete.