Kinbrook Estate

New Communities

Client
Moremac

Disciplines
Landscape Architecture
Town Planning
Urban Design
Media

Location
Donnybrook, VIC

Date
2015 – Ongoing

Imagery
Tract

Kinbrook is a thoughtfully planned 1,000 lot community in Melbourne's north, where integrated planning, landscape and urban design have created a connected, nature-rich neighbourhood.
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Located within Melbourne’s northern growth corridor, Kinbrook Estate is a masterplanned residential community in Donnybrook that will ultimately deliver more than 1,000 homes within the English Street PSP area. Bounded by the Merri Creek corridor to the west and the Sydney-Melbourne rail corridor to the east, the estate occupies a strategically significant position within one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing residential communities.

Since 2014, Tract’s Planning and Landscape Architecture teams have worked alongside Moremac to guide the planning, approval and delivery of the project. Working closely with the broader consultant team, Tract developed a coordinated planning and design response that balanced development objectives with environmental, infrastructure and statutory requirements while establishing a connected neighbourhood with a strong focus on open space, walkability and community amenity.

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A key challenge was managing the interface with the Merri Creek conservation corridor and navigating the complex approval environment associated with areas of environmental and cultural heritage significance. This included coordinating planning, conservation and cultural heritage requirements to facilitate critical infrastructure projects, including a pedestrian bridge connection across Merri Creek. The bridge now provides residents with direct access to sporting facilities and open space beyond the creek corridor while forming an important link in the broader shared path network.

The estate’s landscape framework strengthens connections to the surrounding natural environment through an integrated network of wetlands, drainage corridors, waterway reserves and neighbourhood parks. These spaces support biodiversity, improve stormwater management and provide a variety of recreational opportunities connected by shared paths and green links throughout the community.

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One of Kinbrook’s most recognisable destinations is Lavender Rain Park, located at the end of the main entry boulevard, English Street. Inspired by the site’s former use as Lavender Rain Farm, the park references historic agricultural patterns through planting and paving design, centred around a distinctive lavender-themed play tower that has become a landmark within the estate. Together with Glide Park and the broader open space network, the reserve provides opportunities for play, recreation and community gathering while contributing to the estate’s unique identity.

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Beyond securing planning approvals, Tract has remained actively involved throughout implementation, providing ongoing planning and coordination services across permit amendments, authority approvals, infrastructure delivery and compliance matters. This long-term involvement has supported efficient project delivery while ensuring the estate’s vision for a highly connected, landscape-led community continues to be realised through each stage of development.