Published: Friday 07 Aug 2026
Whitehorse City Council is encouraging residents to have their say on the proposed rezoning and masterplanning of the 10-hectare Mount Scopus Memorial College site in Burwood. The school is utilising the State Government’s Development Facilitation Program as a fast-track assessment pathway. Community feedback is now open on plans that would deliver around 3,900 new homes.
The site was nominated by the College through the State Government’s Unlocking Strategic Sites Expression of Interest Program following the College’s decision to relocate the campus to a new site in Caulfield.
The State Government is seeking public feedback on a draft amendment to the Whitehorse Planning Scheme for the land which includes 245, 247 and 249 Burwood Highway and 7, 9, 11 and 13 Milford Avenue, Burwood.
The proposal seeks to facilitate approximately new 3,900 dwellings across four precincts, together with retail, commercial and community uses and new public open space. The masterplan includes the possibility of a supermarket up to 2000sqm in size and proposed building heights of 3-20 storeys.
Whitehorse City Council is not the planning authority for this proposal. The Minister for Planning will determine the amendment. Council will make a formal submission to the Department of Transport and Planning.
Mayor of Whitehorse, Councillor Kirsten Langford said Council is disappointed by the minimal level of community engagement undertaken by the State Government.
"Here we are again with another major State Government planning proposal where our community is not being genuinely consulted."
"The consultation period and engagement activities represent the bare minimum for a project of this scale. Thousands of future residents and existing neighbours will be affected, yet many people may not even realise these plans are now open for feedback."
The Mayor said while Council recognises the importance of delivering more housing, it "must be supported" by the right infrastructure, open space and genuine community consultation.
"Good planning relies on meaningful consultation. The State Government should be making it as easy as possible for people to understand the proposal, ask questions and have their voices heard."
"This is one of the largest redevelopment proposals our municipality has seen, and it will shape Burwood for generations. It is critical that our community has a genuine opportunity to influence its future."
Mayor Langford said Council has "significant concerns" about several aspects of the proposal.
"We're concerned about the intensity of development proposed alongside Gardiners Creek and the potential impacts on one of our municipality's most important environmental corridors.
"This area needs careful planning that protects its environmental values while accommodating future growth."
"We want to ensure residents aren't left with less usable open space as density increases."
Council is also advocating for the existing playing fields to be retained as permanent community assets.
"The existing sporting ovals represent a rare opportunity to provide lasting community infrastructure in an area that will welcome thousands of new residents.
"We'd like to see these facilities retained so future generations have places to play organised sport, be active and connect with their community."
The Mayor said more information was also needed about the future of the site’s Besen Centre and how it would operate within the proposed redevelopment.
"If the Besen Centre is to remain, the community deserves to know how it will function within the new development, including where visitors will park and how it will continue to serve the local community." It is unsatisfactory to remove all the parking associated with this building and rely on the local road network for parking.
Council encourages residents, businesses and community groups to review the proposal and provide feedback directly to the Victorian Government.
Community feedback can be submitted through Engage Victoria, or by emailing the Department of Transport and Planning at development.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au. Engagement closes on Tuesday 1 September, 5pm.
Council will host a community pop-up at Gardiners Creek Reserve from 9am - 11am on Saturday 15 August to help residents understand the proposal and encourage them to have their say.
