The state’s planning tribunal has sent a development back to the drawing board for being an “underdevelopment” of a prime Footscray site.
Star Weekly last August reported that Maribyrnong council had knocked back plans to build a seven-storey apartment complex immediately north of West Footscray station.
Councillors rejected the proposal for an 86-unit development on the corner of Cross and Hocking streets, currently occupied by Potter’s House Christian Church, citing inadequate parking and a height well above the preferred four-storey limit.
Developer Jabala Pty Ltd fought the decision in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, but lodged scaled-down plans.
VCAT members Rachel Naylor and Ann Keddie this month ordered the developers to submit new plans, arguing that both the reduced proposal and the original plans were an underdevelopment of a site offering “a significant development opportunity”.
“This site is suitable for an intense development… a greater intensity of development should be considered for this site, particularly because of its locational attributes,” they ruled.
“The surrounding context can easily absorb the seven storey height given its robust nature.”
The interim decision by the VCAT members found that both designs had failed to take full advantage of “the opportunities afforded by the physical and planning contexts of this site”.
They criticised the council’s refusal because of insufficient parking, accepting evidence that the site is well served by public transport.
Jabala has been given until Friday to indicate whether it will amend its proposal. Maribyrnong council, Melbourne Water and owners of 4 Cross Street will then be invited to make written submissions on the proposal before VCAT issues a final decision.
