WeCAN Western Community Action Network (Melbourne)

The Footscray Skyline Study  which specifies building heights in Footscray is currently up for review, despite it being finalised only 3 years ago. The existing 2006 policy has three areas where buildings of 10-12 stories are allowed, some areas of 8 stories and recommended buidling heights in the remaining areas in the Footscray Central Activities District (CAD) of generally 3-6 stories. Heaps of room for development. It was adopted a policy by Council after a two year development that included significant consultation, and built on Council's [re]visioning Footscray planning process.

The Minister for Planning took over planning controls for most of Footscray in 2007. Part of the deal in Council supporting this move was that the planning woudl reflect all the strategic work that had previously been undertaken.

Now that Footscray has been declared one of the six suburban CADs under the Melbourne @ 5 million plan, all that has changed.

Suddenly a review of the skyline study has been undertaken prior to a Planning Scheme Amendment which is proposed to be ready by early next year. So, instead of just incorporating the heights in the skyline policy in a planning scheme amendment which is essentially what Council was expecting, a whole new review has been done.

Massively increased heights

And surprise, surprise it recommends massively increased heights.

Maximum change 30 storey plus?

Where there were 'gateway sites where buildings of 10-15 stories were receommended, there are now sites of maximum change where we are told 'building forms could be similar to Docklands and St Kilda Rd'

Two of the three maximum change sites are areas which under  2006 policy were classified as 'stable areas - ie no change to the existing built form of 1-2 stories!! These are on the Geelong Rd- Barkly St - Victoria St intersection, and the eastern end of the block between Pickett and Raleigh Streets. The third site is the hopkins and Moore Streets intersection which had previously been designated as a 'gateway site'of 10-12 stories.

Substantial change 15 storey plus

Just as alarming are the large areas of substantial change, where 'a new building form and identity can be created' Presumably these are buildings of 15 stories plus,  because the next category down of 'significant change' is said to include buildings such as the 13 story Allegro apartments in Barkly St.

This area of substantial change includes most of the Barkly-Hopkins St spine. In the 2006 policy Barkly-Hopkins was recommended to mostly be a frontage of 3-4 stories with 6-10 stories behind  because of the heritage overlay and the 'fine grain' of the exisiting buildings. They also include the Bob Binks Ford sites the blocks between Hopkins and Wingfield Streets, and the McNab Ave old bowling club site.

The Joseph Road site is also designated as an area of substantial change - this is not too different form the 2006 policy where buildings of 6-12 stories were permitted.

Significant change 10-15 stories

The areas designated as 'significant change' are just as scary, as these are the 10-15 storey building sites. This includes many areas including along Raleigh St (previously 'stable'), the block bounded by Nicholson and Albert and Buckley and Irving Streets and many other areas previously designated as 'stable or 3-6 story development.

Medium rise - 6-8 stories

The rest of Footscray CAD has been designated 'medium rise'which appears to mean 6-8 stories and some small bits of 'low rise' which I think still means up to 4 stories - not what I think of when I think of 'low rise'.

The bottom line is that most people in Footscray are happy to see development in Footscray, happy for some quite significant development. There have been 8 -10 storey developments proposed over the last few years which have only had 2-3 objectors to them. There is a lot of room for a very substantial amount of residential and commercial development consistent with being a CAD without these extreme height limits - or exterem lack of limits. That's what it is - its essentially laying the groundwork for open slather for developers to put up anything they want.

Please put in a submission

I encourage you to check out al the documents on the Council's website and put in submissions  - due by 15 July!!! ( outrageously short time)

Details of how to do this :

• through The One Stop Planning Shop at 92 Nicholson Street, Footscray
  (Nicholson St Mall)
  
• Town Hall Foyer, Maribyrnong City Council Town Hall - Corner Hyde and Napier Street, Footscray
  
• On-line at www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/skylinestudy

Submissions to the review can be made in writing or via email (skylinestudy@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au) with submission forms available at the One Stop Planning Shop (Nicholson St Mall), the Customer Service Area at Town Hall, and on-line at www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/skylinestudy .

And post your submissions here!

If people would like to get togetehr to discuss what else we shoud do, lets do it!

Janet Rice

janet@janetrice.com.au

0439 363 846