Look what they’re building at the former Lilydale Quarry

Nathan Mawby

First published 12 October 2018, 2:19pm

The heritage precinct for the Kinley development by Intrapac that will replace the old Lilydale Quarry.

A suburb-sized development planned for an old quarry in Lilydale with links to Dame Nellie Melba will be opened up to buyers before the end of the month.

The 163ha development of the former Lilydale Quarry is the second largest development precinct in Melbourne, behind Fishermans Bend.

It’s expected the $2 billion project by Intrapac, dubbed Kinley, will create 3200 new homes for 8000 people — a 70% increase in Lilydale’s population.

Commercial Insights: Subscribe to receive the latest news and updates

The quarry was originally opened by Dame Nellie Melba’s father David Mitchell in 1878, who also ran a bacon factory from the site that became the official supplier to Victoria’s Parliament.

An aerial representation of the Kinley development.

The quarry closed in 2015, and had recently been most famous for producing Lilydale Toppings — a crushed limestone mix — used in backyards across the city.

Intrapac Property chief operating officer Max Shifman says the site’s history — particularly David Mitchell’s role — has been fascinating to uncover.

A park planned for the former quarry site.

“He was a really famous guy in and of himself,” Shifman says.

“A noted industrialist and a politician, and yet the success of his daughter has forever overshadowed him.”

Lime processing equipment will join bacon and dairy factories among the structures kept as part of the site’s heritage.

The industrious past will also be reflected with commercial districts for dining and shopping.

The quarry, once as deep as 120m, will be progressively filled as the site is developed across the next 12-15 years before eventually also having homes built on it.

“That will be one of the last precincts to be developed,” Shifman says.