61 Johnson St, Reservoir
About the project
Our project at 61 Johnson Street, Reservoir is a six-storey housing development that features 80 apartments. The building is designed to be environmentally sustainable and will be delivered using a community housing model that supports residents and connects them with the local area.
The development will be managed by National Affordable Housing Victoria (NAHV) and consists of 32 one-bedroom and 48 two-bedroom apartments. The site is located directly next to Keon Park Station and the elevated rail line, helping to renew the local precinct.
The building includes 66 car parking spaces on the Ground Floor and Level 1, as well as 30 bicycle spaces (with 20% designed for accessibility) and a bike repair station. The plans have been prepared by a professional team of architects, planners, and engineers to meet the local planning regulations and respond to the surrounding residential streets and small commercial strip.
The apartments are designed for acoustic performance against rail noise, and prioritise natural daylight and cross-ventilation. The project achieves a 7.6 Star NatHERS Thermal Performance rating and a best-practice BESS (Built Environment Sustainability Score). On the ground floor, a retail space will face the street an east-west pedestrian path will connect directly to the station.
For residents, the project features a large outdoor communal space on the Level 2 podium that includes a BBQ, tables and chairs, bench seating built into planters, landscaping, and an arbor for shade. Indoors, there are two large shared rooms equipped with kitchens, living and dining furniture, meeting rooms, and toilets to help build a sense of community.
The location is classified as 'Very Walkable,' meaning residents can easily walk to public transport, shops, and local services. Once completed, NAHV will run 100% of the building as social housing on behalf of the State Government.
NAHV is a registered, non-profit community housing provider with long-term experience managing tenancies, properties, and community programs.
Project overview
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100% all-electric building
7.6 Star NatHERS Thermal Performance rating
Best-practice BESS score for energy efficiency and daylight
Rooftop solar panels (photovoltaic array)
Level 2 podium outdoor area with a BBQ, seating, and gardens
Two indoor community rooms with full kitchens and meeting spaces
Ground floor retail shop and a public art mural facing the rail line
Windows and communal areas positioned to look out over Johnson Street and all boundaries
63 car parking spaces are provided across the Ground Floor and Level 1, including accessible parking and an EV charging spot
30 bicycle spaces (20% accessible) with an on-site repair station
Located next to Keon Park Station with a direct pedestrian walkway to the platform
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Location – Reservoir, VIC
Local council – City of Darebin
Apartment mix – 32 x 1-bedroom, 48 x 2-bedroom
Architects – Hallmarc
Builder – TBC
Funding Pathway – Housing Australia, Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF)
Address – 61 Johnson Street, Reservoir
Responsible Authority – Department of Transport and Planning (Minister for Planning)
Community Consultation & Clause 52.20
What is Clause 52.20?
Clause 52.20 is a specific planning pathway used by the Victorian Government to speed up the delivery of funded social and affordable housing. It directs applications straight to the Minister for Planning to be assessed as the Responsible Authority, allowing housing to be built faster while creating construction jobs.
How Consultation Works
Under the Homes Victoria - Consultation Guidelines Guidance Note, running a clear community consultation process is a mandatory requirement for this project. Because Clause 52.20 exempts the development from standard council notice processes and VCAT appeal rights, this non-statutory consultation window gives local residents and businesses a formal opportunity to review the plans and share their views.
Before starting this public phase, we engaged with Darebin City Council, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), Transport for Victoria (TfV), and Homes Victoria to review our materials and get their initial feedback.
Consultation Dates: 26 June – 17 July 2026 (3-week feedback period)
During these dates, you can view the full project details and submit feedback. Our team will review all comments and write a formal Consultation Report. Where practical, the design may be adjusted to resolve local amenity issues before we submit the final application for planning approval.
What is community housing?
More than 20,000 Victorian households live in homes owned and run by community housing providers. Residents include single people, families, couples, older individuals, and people living with a disability.
The community housing sector is an established part of Australia's housing system, alongside public housing and private rentals. 'Social housing' is the general term for both public housing and community housing, and means the rent is subsidised based on income. In Victoria, public housing is run directly by the government via Homes Victoria, while community housing is managed by non-profit organisations like National Affordable Housing Victoria (NAHV).
Community housing organisations are regulated by the Victorian Housing Registrar. They are experts in property management, tenancy support, and community development. Our focus is providing safe, long-term, and affordable homes for people on low incomes. Under our charter, we work to help residents keep their tenancies stable, connect them with local support services, and build communities that improve their opportunities in life.
Privacy Statement
All personal information collected will be handled in line with Hallmarc’s Privacy Policy. The data will be used at a high level to inform our submission to the Department of Transport and Planning and Homes Victoria. The final consultation report will redact all identifying details, including names, addresses, and emails. No personal information will be shared with outside parties.
More information on Hallmarc’s Privacy Policy can be found here.
Make an enquiry
Prefer to speak with us?
You can also call our project team on (03) 9660 9000 or send us an email on projects@hallmarc.com.au for any feedback or project enquiries.
