An independent planning panel is supporting the development of a new ‘town centre’ near Highpoint, despite ongoing resident protests.
As reported by Star Weekly in April, Maribyrnong council wants to rezone industrial and commercial land around Highpoint shopping centre to enable its expansion, complete with about 2500 new apartments, over the next 30 years.
Amendment C135 paves the way for a new town centre, with a mixed retail, bulky goods and residential precinct along Rosamond Road.
It also supports buildings of up to 10 storeys across seven Highpoint Activity Centre precincts, including six-storey to 10-storey buildings along Hampstead, Williamsons, Rosamond and West roads.
Residents say the rezoning panders to developers at the expense of current residents.
They cite ongoing issues with car parking, building heights, open space and infrastructure, but the planning panel has now lodged its broad support for the amendment with Planning Minister Dick Wynne for final approval.
The two-person panel concluded the amendment should go ahead, with modifications. “The development of street walls, generally around six storeys, with buildings of around 10 storeys to their rear, should allow a sense of human scale and facilitate activity on the streets,” the panel noted.
