A developer has won a battle against Maribyrnong council’s decision to cap a 198-unit project in Footscray at four storeys and force the inclusion of three- bedroom apartments.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal knocked out a number of conditions imposed on developing the site of the iconic 501 Receptions, paving the way for FSG Corp Australia’s $30 million project to proceed.
Plans for 495-507 Barkly Street now include twin blocks housing 104 one- bedroom and 94 two-bedroom units on four levels above eight ground-floor shops.
AERIAL VIEW OF THE PRESENT SITE. (SUPPLIED)
VCAT member Bill Sibonis noted that the fifth storey, knocked out by councillors as part of the project’s approval, had been accepted by council staff and previously ticked off in a 2010 approval for 111 units.
FSG Corp Australia later applied to almost double the number of units and decrease their size “to respond to current market demands”.
Mr Sibonis also overturned the council’s requirement for 10 three- bedroom apartments for reasons including their availability in the neighbouring Banbury Village development.
Council argued in VCAT that a five-storey building was not appropriate to the area, but Mr Sibonis found a fifth storey would not overwhelm it.
The developer reportedly paid $8.4 million for the 6288-square-metre site.
