NEW: A developer claims he can now build the quality development “that the community wanted” after the state’s planning tribunal approved a controversial three-storey development on the former Newport timber yard site.
It was the third application since 2010 by Domain Hill Property Group for 6 Paine Street.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) approved the plans with a reduction in the number of townhouses 43 to 39.
Domain managing director Peter Cahill said there was strong interest from the market.
“We are pleased with the outcome and know we can deliver a quality project which is what the local community wanted to achieve,” he said.
“We’re fielding calls from buyers already so there’s definitely strong demand in the neighbourhood for quality townhouses.”
More than 260 residents, who started a Protect Newport action group, objected to the development.
In 2011, VCAT refused Domain’s application to build 40 dwellings at the site. In October, VCAT refused a second application for 42 dwellings.
In their decision, VCAT presiding member Michael Deidun and member Ann Keddie said the developer had worn people down.
“… This is the third time that the review site has come before the tribunal in recent times.
“As verbally expressed by the residents, and probably also felt by the other parties, they have become wearied and worn down by what is now nearly four years of almost continuous planning permit applications, tribunal proceedings and planning disputes over this parcel of land.
“Having regard to these comments from the community representatives, we feel that it would be a positive outcome if this proceeding resulted in a permit being granted, and thus bring an end to this dispute.”
Resident Nik Bebic said that it was “a very sad day indeed when a decision by council, who represents all of us, is set aside to grant this blatant opportunity to exploit the urban consolidation theme, which has been thrust upon us all by this greedy state government.
“Yes, I am weary, but not for the reasons VCAT gives in their decision. I am weary because once again the powerless have been trampled on by the powerful.”
State Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said he agreed with residents that the townhouses represented an overdevelopment of the site and were out of character with the neighbourhood.
“I fail to see how squeezing so many people in to a tightly constrained space in a predominantly low-rise area makes for a good planning outcome on this site.”
Hobsons Bay mayor Sandra Wilson said that while the decision was disappointing, the development had been scaled back and several concerns about scale, bulk and density had been addressed.
