Stakeholder Engagement

Development in the Hart Precinct is guided by the 2013 Essendon Fields Airport Master Plan, which outlines continued development of the precinct for a range of commercial and light industrial activities, and underwent public consultation prior to approval.

As development continues, nearby residents of the Hart Precinct and onsite tenants have been kept informed about the status of project works via:

• Construction updates on the Essendon Fields website.
• Signage on the Essendon Fields boundary fence.
• Periodic letter drops to local houses at the commencement of new construction projects.
• Invitation to a Street Party celebrating the official opening of Stage 1 in February 2025, attended by approximately 500 community members.
• Opportunity to Have Your Say on future public realm and access plans via an online survey.
• Consultation sessions with immediate boundary neighbours on proposed landscaping interface improvements.

Public Realm Engagement Survey

Between 15 March to 15 May 2025, we asked our local community what they would like to see from the Hart Precinct’s Public Spaces (the area of Essendon Fields highlighted in the map below), via an online survey.

Potential amenities for consideration included a café, public picnic areas and a playground, access options like walking and cycling paths, public transport services and road access between Strathmore and Essendon Fields.

What you told us

Thank you to everyone who submitted their feedback via the online engagement survey.

Essendon Fields received 106 responses to the survey, 87% of these from local residents.

The survey asked what future access and amenity people might like Essendon Fields to consider in our future plans, and found:

The top theme we heard from the community was in relation to improved screening of the new warehouse developments, creating a stronger visual and sound barrier to improve the interface between the neighboring residential area.

We also heard positive feedback about existing landscaping in Essendon Fields’ wider precinct, and opportunity to create more shaded outdoor areas and public spaces that the local community can access in the Hart Precinct.

Close to half of respondents were interested in walking, running and cycling paths between Essendon Fields and Strathmore. Some expressed interest in Essendon Fields planting more native trees and grasses in the area.

Just over 43% of respondents indicated they are interested in vehicle road access between Strathmore and Essendon Fields, however other respondents expressed their concern about local traffic impacts. Over half were in support of an onsite café.

How we’re responding

Essendon Fields are sensitive to the impacts of onsite activity on the surrounding community and take all feedback seriously. Our highest priority has been responding to the key theme of improving screening along the Essendon Fields boundary on Lebanon Street, for which we received both direct and survey feedback.

Essendon Fields have engaged a landscape design team to design an overall landscape and screening interface concept that takes into account the current site conditions which include the retarding basin that is being constructed onsite to manage stormwater, the existing Melbourne Water Easement, the Airport Wildlife Management Plan, safety and operational requirements of onsite tenants and feedback received from adjoining neighbors.

These indicative landscape ideas were presented to neighbours located immediately across from the new development on Global Avenue in September 2025. Whilst longer-term screening plans are being implemented, we have worked with onsite tenants on operational improvements, and put in place temporary measures to reduce noise, reduce light glare and enhance privacy. Latest updates regarding interface improvement measures can be found here on the Hart Precinct project page.

The consultation sessions drew out a wide variety of views from residents and stakeholders, and individual comments have been considered alongside survey feedback as part of the overall process.

We appreciate the request from some community members to add more native and evergreen species into our landscaping plans to increase biodiversity, however in an airport environment all onsite planting needs to be considered alongside aviation safety. Many native plant species are wildlife attracting, and Essendon Fields maintains an active Wildlife Hazard Management Plan onsite to limit the risk of animal aircraft strikes. Tree species heights are another consideration in our landscaping plans so as not to impact airspace.

We are also in the early stages of exploring opportunities for a café that can service the onsite workforce and neighboring community. The viability of this opportunity will be market-led, with any proposals carefully considered with respect to traffic and parking impacts.

The potential for future road and public transport connectivity between Essendon Fields and Strathmore is a longer-term project, requiring a detailed investigation, planning and consultation process in collaboration with local council, road and transport authorities and stakeholders.

Thank you again for your feedback. Essendon Fields will use this and input from experts and industry, to make sure future plans the Hart Precinct consider the needs of our community. To keep in touch, subscribe to our newsletter.