THE state government is riding roughshod over the Footscray
community with its plans for a riverside precinct, according to
Maribyrnong council.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy has approved amendment C105 to the
Maribyrnong planning scheme that paves the way for about 18 high-rise
towers, up to 32 storeys, with 4000 new high-density dwellings on the
former industrial Josephs Road precinct, bounded by Hopkins Street, the
Maribyrnong River and the railway line.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Post a comment below
The council argues the changes undo work on planning for the area
and will place considerable pressure on community resources already
under heavy strain.
Mayor Catherine Cumming said buildings of 26 storeys or higher
were well above the height limits the council would like for the area.
“It is extremely disappointing. If this was coming on top of a
whole suite of improvements that’s one thing, but there is no money in
the coffers for organising parks, no community infrastructure,” she
said.
“The overshadowing will be to the detriment of this environment, kids [at St Monica’s Primary School] will be playing in the dark and at school in the dark.”
Cr Cumming said Maribyrnong did not have the budget to cope with
an influx of thousands of residents without assistance from the
government or greater contributions by developers.
Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
documents state the amendment was made because recent strategic work
proposes “a taller built form” in the precinct. The documents state
overshadowing is “acceptable” as an impact on amenity.
The department argues increased housing density will have a
positive economic impact on Footscray shops and services as well as
investment and employment during construction.
Mr Guy’s spokeswoman Rochelle Jackson said the priority
development zone, approved by the previous Labor government, had always
exempted applications from notice to surrounding properties.
She said specified heights were not mandatory but provided a guide as to the type of development envisaged.
“All residential developments must contribute to council’s
community infrastructure fund and make contributions to public open
space for council to determine where best to provide these facilities,”
Ms Jackson said.
