Nightingale to deliver 70 townhouses on former rail spur in Melbourne

Not-for-profit organisation Nightingale Housing has been selected to develop a former rail spur in Alphington, in Melbourne's east, with 70 new townhouses designed by Breathe.

The project is one of 14 land parcels earmarked for development under the Victorian government's Small Sites program, which was launched in July 2024 with the aim of delivering up to 1,000 new homes across Melbourne, Bendigo and Geelong.

"Small Sites is one of the many ways Development Victoria is working with the private sector to transform surplus government land into much-needed homes, expanding housing choice and affordability in locations close to jobs and services," said Alex Kennedy, executive general manager, investment and portfolio management at Development Victoria.

Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Harriet Shing added, "Millennials and young families deserve the choice to live in suburbs like Alphington that are well-connected to local shops, transport and services."

Project architect at Breathe Shannon Furness described the project as "a horizontal community of sustainable terrace homes" ranging in size from compact dwellings to three-bedroom abodes.

According to a media release from the state government, Nightingale intends to partner with Women's Property Initiatives, a not-for-profit community housing provider, to deliver seven affordable dwellings within the proposal.

Nightingale Housing's head of community Toby Dean noted, "By teaming up with Women's Property Initiatives to deliver a portion of homes as affordable, long-term, secure rental housing, we can help more women and women-headed households have access to truly high-quality homes."

"These homes are designed to support families, singles, and friends alike," Furness added. "Every home is oriented to the north, ensuring abundant natural light and passive thermal performance, while gardens and courtyards complement shared communal spaces."

The state government's media release notes that the decision to transform the Alphington site into housing was driven by feedback from the local community, who showed strong support for new housing, open space and better connections. As a result, the scheme includes new public green space and a formal pedestrian and cycling route between Grange Road, Hamilton Street and Railway Place.

Dean commented, "We're creating opportunities for connection, from communal areas where neighbours can meet to thoughtful design moves like the new linear link that will foster movement and interaction across the site and broader community."

According to Furness, connection to nature underpins the project. "The site's transformation focuses on landscape rehabilitation, with biodiverse planting that restores habitat and strengthens ecological links," he said.

As part of this commitment to green space, the project is intentionally car-free, with residents supported by shared parking spaces with visitor and accessible spaces, electrical vehicle charging and car-share offerings, along with generous bicycle parking.

"Nightingale Alphington is more than housing: it is a collective model for living lightly, where community, affordability, sustainability, and circular design come together to shape a new way forward for suburban Melbourne," Furness commented.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027, subject to planning approvals, with further developer appointments for other sites expected from early 2026.