By Benjamin Millar
A cloud hangs over the future of an activity centre planned for the former Bradmill factory site in Yarraville after the property owners allowed a permit for the project to expire.
Beijing-based development conglomerate Chang Sheng applied to Maribyrnong council in 2017 for an extension to the permit to build a $20 million shopping centre development featuring a new library, medical centre, supermarkets, shops and apartments.
However the two-year extension expired on February 28 without any further request to extend the permit being lodged.
Council’s planning services director Nigel Higgins said the owner has until August to request an extension of time, otherwise the permit lapses.
Chang Sheng bought the 24-hectare property from Colin De Lutis’ De Group in 2016, in a $172 million joint-venture with local Chinese media businessman Tommy Jiang.
The entire site has a master plan for a $2.2 billion development dubbed ‘Yarraville Gardens’, allowing up to 1500 dwellings.
Residents living near the abandoned Bradmill factory site have expressed frustration over the lengthy redevelopment delays and called for stronger measures to target antisocial behaviour at the site.
Metropolitan Fire Brigade figures show the MFB has been called to extinguish 24 fires on the site in the past decade, including 18 fires in the abandoned factory buildings.
The site owners could not be reached for comment.
