A proposal to build 78 two- and three-storey townhouses in Maribyrnong has been rejected by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The decision, released last week, refused a planning permit for an 8727square-metre former factory site at the south-east corner of Birdwood Street and Rosamond Road.
Maribyrnong council first refused a permit to developers Rosamond Terraces Pty Ltd in June. Councillors viewed the proposal as an overdevelopment of the small site and said it failed to conform to ResCode and urban design policy. They said it also showed a poor standard of internal amenity.
Neighbours who opposed the proposal from the outset were particularly concerned the proposal would lead to parking and traffic problems. Some also expressed concern about maintenance associated with larger dwelling complexes, which, based on their experience of other multi-unit developments in the area, may well be poorly managed by bodies corporate.
One nearby resident raised concerns about the design of the proposal and its impact on his property.
Rosamond Road resident Malcolm Berg attended the three-day hearing and said residents were relieved with the decision.
“We had too many concerns about different parts of the proposal,” Mr Berg said.
“The council worked well with us, and we’re happy the development didn’t go ahead.
“It’s back to the drawing board for the developers and we’ll consider their next proposal again.
“It’s a win for us as a community,” he said. “So far so good.”
In the published VCAT decision, presiding panellist Alison Glynn said the proposed townhouses would not fit within a neighbourhood character precinct.
“Accordingly, it is a site where future development can create its own character,” she wrote.
“It has this potential, particularly due to its relative lack of constraints, and size, which allows scope for a design that can achieve yield, density and amenity for existing and future residents. This proposal is one which has too many elements that are not satisfactorily addressed,” Ms Glynn said.
“The decision of the responsible authority [the council] is affirmed. No permit is to issue.”
Rosamond Terraces Pty Ltd did not respond to Star Weekly before publication.
