Highett Common (Former CSIRO Site), Graham Road, Highett, Victoria, Australia

Primary guess

Confidence

• Level: High
• Why:
* The extremely distinctive deep red clay soil is a well-known feature of the Highett/Cheltenham area in Melbourne.
* The background houses perfectly match those on Lyle Street, which borders the northern edge of this specific large development site.
* The blue steel framing (Truecore) and temporary fencing are standard for major Melbourne residential projects.
* The OOCL shipping container and general site layout align with the ongoing "Highett Common" redevelopment of the former CSIRO land.

Visual evidence

* **Soil:** Deep red clay soil, often referred to as "Highett Red Earth," characteristic of this specific geological pocket in Melbourne's southeast.
* **Architecture:** Modern two-story townhouses in the background. Specifically, the grey house on the left is **25 Lyle Street** and the white-and-dark house with a balcony behind the container is **23 Lyle Street, Highett**.
* **Construction Materials:** Stacks of blue-coated steel wall frames (BlueScope Truecore), widely used in Australian residential construction.
* **Shipping Container:** An OOCL (Orient Overseas Container Line) 40ft High Cube container (ID: OICU 411938 3) used for on-site tool or material storage.
* **Fencing:** Standard Australian galvanized steel temporary fencing (common brands include TFH or 1300TempFence).
* **Vegetation:** Eucalyptus trees in the distance and typical suburban garden plants consistent with coastal/bayside Melbourne.

Reasoning

The combination of the unique red soil and modern suburban infill architecture strongly pointed toward Melbourne's southeastern suburbs. By identifying the specific houses in the background (a grey gabled house and a white/charcoal duplex), I was able to locate them on **Lyle Street in Highett**. These houses overlook a massive 9.3-hectare vacant lot which was formerly the **CSIRO Highett laboratory site**. This site is currently being developed into a major residential precinct called **Highett Common**. The photo is taken from within the southern part of the lot (near Graham Road), looking north toward the existing residential strip.

Verification

1. **Google Street View:** The houses at 23 and 25 Lyle Street, Highett match the structures in the background perfectly.
2. **Project Website:** The Highett Common website shows the transformation of this red-earthed site.
3. **News/Context:** The former CSIRO site is a well-documented development in the area, known for its long vacancy and distinct red soil during the excavation phase.

Links

• Google Maps Location
• Street View of background houses (Lyle St)

Coordinates

-37.946328, 145.030730