The Cartmell Street project involves the sale of Council land to see it developed. The development will maintain existing public car parking and provide additional public car parking.
From 28 July 2025, the Cartmell Street public car park will be fenced off and temporarily closed for approximately 18 months to develop the site. The car park can continue to be used until it has been fenced off.
The sale and development is part of Council’s ongoing effort to revitalise the Heidelberg Central precinct and create a more inclusive and vibrant centre. The development will deliver much-needed affordable housing and, importantly, will increase public parking from 91 to 148 spaces. Resident parking for the development will be provided separately and will not interfere with the number of public spaces.
Car park closing date
The car park will be closed from Monday 28 July 2025. When closed, it will be fenced off, and will stay closed until development of the site is complete.
The Cartmell Street car park can continue to be used until it has been fenced off.
While the public car park is closed
We understand the temporary closure may cause some disruption. Council will closely monitor parking availability in the area and may consider providing support.
When construction is complete
Northern elevation of the development, along Cartmell Street.
Project timeline
- 12 April 2021 Council meeting, Council started the statutory process of its intention to sell the airspace above the existing carpark to deliver a multi-level residential/mixed use development above the public carpark.
- 4 October 2021 Council meeting, Council decided to proceed with selling the land after going through the process and considering objections received.
- 19 April 2023 planning permit application lodged, for Council's development planning team to review, advertise through the public notice process and consider details of the development proposal
- 11 December 2023 Council meeting, Council decided to issue a Notice of Decision to grant a Planning Permit
- 15 January 2024 permit issued, Council following the Notice of Decision process, issued planning permit P366/2023 with conditions
- 20 May 2024 VCAT hearing, Hallmarc appealed conditions of the Council permit at Victorian Cival and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). The applicant and Council presented their case to VCAT member, K Birtwistle
- 5 June 2024 VCAT order issued, directing Council to issue a modified planning permit that retains, varies and deletes some conditions of the permit originally issued by Council
- 23 April 2025 permit amendment, the applicant Hallmarc lodged an amendment to reduce the number of basement car parks
- 10 June 2025 plans stamped, after reviewing all supplied documentation and plans, Council issued endorsed plans for the land clearing the way for the next steps of the development to proceed
- 1 July 2025, settlement transfer of the site
- 28 July 2025 car park closes, and temporary closure of public car park starts to progress development on site
- 2027 car park opens, Cartmell Street public car park reopens with increased capacity