MARIBYRNONG Council is seeking to claw back planning control in Footscray after the state government approved a 32-storey development.
The Hopkins Street project will feature twin 32-storey towers, a 19-storey tower and two 17-storey buildings soaring above the Joseph Road precinct.
The five-stage, 9500-square-metre development will have 970 apartments, 1030 car spots, 21 retail spaces and an underground supermarket.
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Planning Minister Matthew Guy, who holds planning authority over the precinct, said the $318 million development “will breathe new life into Melbourne’s inner western suburbs”.
“This is about the right development in the right locations,” he said. “Footscray has a massive future ahead of it.”
But Maribyrnong mayor Catherine Cumming said the project ignored the needs and wishes of the Footscray community.
“This is what happens when you don’t involve the council and respect the wishes of the community,” she said.
“There is not enough car parking, which created traffic issues, and there will be no childcare places added to the area.”
Councillors slammed the proposal in July, arguing it would block sunlight reaching the playground of nearby St Monica’s Primary School.
The council wanted the supermarket raised from the basement to ground level and the two towers fronting Warde Street reduced from 31 to 25 storeys.
Cr Cumming said the fact the council was ignored and the green light was given for 32 storeys showed the need to take back control.
“The council is going to have an officer who is designated to the Footscray area and when we have that appointment we will be asking the minister to give control of Footscray back to the council,” she said. “It would seem they’re taking advantage of the council not having these controls.”
Mr Guy and the council have already been at loggerheads over a nearby 25-storey development due to begin in the next few months.
