Plans for a six storey, 420-dwelling development on the former Caltex site at South Kingsville are headed for the state’s planning tribunal.
Newport Properties is proposing to develop the land at 38-48 Blackshaws Road and 24 Sutton Street.
It lodged a Newport Village master plan with Hobsons Bay council in June, showing 273 apartments, a food and drink premises and less parking than stipulated.
It subsequently lodged an appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against the council’s failure to make a decision within the prescribed 60 days.
The council states on its website that it was unable to assess the permit application because there was insufficient information.
No to High Density in Newport spokesman Chris Turner said he hoped VCAT would look at the bigger picture.
“How much can our suburbs take before infrastructure is improved to cope with the number of residents that will be using the streets, schools and parking at train stations in Hobsons Bay?” he asked.
“VCAT have been pretty easy on developers over the years. Let’s hope they back the council for this one.”
Tract Consultants, acting for Newport Properties, did not immediately respond.
In March last year, the same developer proposed a 10-storey, 600-dwelling development for the site.
The council did not make a decision on that plan within the prescribed period, but the developer’s appeal to VCAT was unsuccessful.
The council later resolved that development on the site should be capped at six storeys and 420 dwellings.
The Blackshaws Road VCAT hearing is scheduled for April.
