The State Government has allocated $8 million over two years to develop the Richmond to Footscray rail corridor.

This project is expected to create thousands of jobs for builders and tradespeople.

The development will feature four major projects:

  • E-Gate; a 20 hectare industrial zone that offers potential residential space to create a new suburb with 5000 dwellings, 10,000 residents over the next 15 to 20 years;
  • Federation Square East – to be transformed into a new, commercial, residential and civic precinct that will link the CBD, Yarra River and Melbourne Park together;
  • Flinders Street Station redevelopment;
  • Richmond Station redevelopment – improvements will drastically improve Melbourne’s landscape and supply many potential jobs for builders.

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“Together this suite of projects represents opportunities for billions of dollars of development and thousands of jobs, creating a pipeline of potential projects stretching out for decades,” Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said.

In good news for the non-residential construction sector, the government says it will go to market this year to advance plans for both E-Gate and Federation Square East. You can see more in the below video.


“You get one chance to develop these prime sites on the doorstep of the CBD, and in each of these projects, the Coalition Government is taking a considered approach to planning and is looking to deliver outstanding outcomes for Victorian taxpayers,” said David Hodgett, Victoria’s Major Projects Minister.

“We are committed to encouraging sensible redevelopment, new housing and employment opportunities by putting government owned land to better use.”

Master Builders Association of Victoria CEO Radley de Silva welcomed the announcement.

“Any major development that creates jobs for our industry is a win-win for investment in construction and the wider community,” Mr de Silva said.

“We look forward to seeing the details of the project as work comes online.”