The developer of the Port Phillip Woollen Mill has accused Hobsons Bay council of “mismanagement” and bowing to the “shrill voices of objectors” after the council had sought to place a heritage overlay on another building on the site.
From 1908-74, the building at 16-20 Kanowna Street, Williamstown, was the Nugget shoe polish factory.
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The council last week said it was required to request that Planning Minister Matthew Guy establish an independent planning panel to consider the building’s heritage because it had received a submission against the move from the developer. Evolve Development, which wants to demolish the building as part of larger plans for a high-density, high-rise development on the mill site, was the only entity to oppose a heritage overlay.
As reported by the Weekly, a construction management plan shows 765 apartments and 25 townhouses could be built on the entire woollen mill site bounded by Nelson Place and Ann, Aitken and Kanowna streets.
Evolve managing director Ashley Williams said the council’s move was ‘‘yet another example” of its failure to manage planning for the mill site. “The Nugget factory, as part of the larger site, has been subject to
consideration by three different planning panels/advisory committees over an eight-year period,” Mr Williams said.
“At no stage during these processes did the council consider or advise that it considered the Nugget factory worthy of retention.
“Hobsons Bay council has, rather, bowed to the shrill voices of objectors and sought to further delay our applications.”
Responding to a claim of mismanagement, Hobsons Bay chief executive Chris Eddy said: “Our community has told us quite clearly that the value of cultural heritage is extremely important and that it’s our role to ensure buildings of heritage significance are protected.”
