Olivine Estate

Urbis has provided strategic and statutory planning services to Mirvac since 2012 for Olivine, a 460‑hectare master planned community located within the Donnybrook–Woodstock Precinct Structure Plan area in Melbourne’s north.

Throughout the planning process, we supported Mirvac through the PSP and Panel stages and worked closely with the City of Whittlesea to secure planning approvals for three residential precincts to date. This collaboration also extended to early partnerships with Council to facilitate community infrastructure, including a mixed‑use community facility from Day One which is built in the Gumnut Park and provides a cafe, meeting spaces and houses the Sales Centre.  Set against expansive rural views, with long horizons and a sense of openness that reflects the area’s agricultural history, the early delivery of a non‑government school and active open space meant Olivine had real community scale and heart quickly.

Launched in 2018, Olivine is now an established and growing community, providing an active, outdoor lifestyle for its residents. When complete, the estate will deliver approximately 4,500 lots, with a range of housing types, and be home to around 12,000 residents. The estate’s natural character is shaped by iconic 200‑year‑old river red gums, which have been carefully integrated into the design for the award-winning Gumnut Park.  The master plan provides for an education precinct, sports and recreation facilities, local parks and open space, community facilities and local town centres, supporting a connected and walkable neighbourhood.

A strong focus on community engagement and activation has helped bring the vision to life by grounding it in lived experience. This strengthened the link between strategic intent and on ground outcomes, supporting a community that feels purposeful, connected and ready to evolve over time. 

A key milestone was reached in late 2024 with the opening of Stage 1 of the Olivine Recreation Reserve. Delivered in partnership with the City of Whittlesea, the $4.5 million Sports and Community Pavilion to support the recreation activities including oval, netball and futsal courts, cricket nets, a dog park and playground. 

The next stage of delivery is now underway and includes a second oval and a skate park.  Its inclusion reflects a considered, long‑term approach to providing a full lifecycle of recreation opportunities as the Olivine community continues to mature.

Olivine demonstrates how thoughtful master planning, long‑term collaboration and early delivery of community infrastructure can create vibrant, sustainable and well‑connected communities.

Header image source: Mirvac