Residents call for the government to learn from mistakes made in the CBD

The Victorian Government is set to release a draft of its Plan for Victoria in the coming months, with CBD residents pushing for the new plan to better account for residents and businesses throughout the planning process.

Residents who are part of the EastEnders group are concerned by the current lack of consultation between developers and affected residents, with applications to construct buildings more than 25,000sqm in size still the responsibility of the state’s planning department.

They believe this has led to a number of unwanted developments proceeding, with minimal appeal to local residents, and in some cases, the heritage of pre-existing buildings has been undermined.

The Plan for Victoria is a new strategic vision for the state that will provide guidance on creating more homes near transport, job opportunities, and essential services. It will replace the existing metropolitan strategy, Plan Melbourne 2017-2050, and regional growth plans.

At a meeting to discuss the community response to Plan Victoria, EastEnders president Dr Stan Capp said, “The design of developments leaves a lot to be desired, with many [buildings] being eyesores on the visual landscape in many respects.”

“Protecting the visual appeal of the CBD is now redundant as that ship has sailed, and we have a legacy of some, but not all, poorly designed buildings,” he said.

Dr Capp believes the mistakes made in the CBD should serve as a warning to surrounding areas in the City of Melbourne.

Developments such as the 60-storey Sapphire on the Gardens at 63 La Trobe St, according to Dr Capp, go against the plan’s goal of providing housing for people who work in and around the city, due to their appeal to buyers who do not live in Australia.

“Eighty-five per cent of apartments were sold offshore prior to coming onto the market in Australia, thus doing little for housing supply,” Dr Capp said.

Additionally, the adjacent 62-storey Shangri-La development has never been occupied nor even fitted out as a hotel, despite construction being completed years ago.

The heritage-listed Shell House at 1 Spring St was another contentious development that Dr Capp highlighted, with the Minister for Planning ignoring the advice of the Heritage Council to approve its plans in July last year.

While Dr Capp concedes that nothing can be done to resolve these matters, he said it was essential for future developments within the City of Melbourne and surrounding areas to learn from the errors made within the CBD.

“What we want is a planning process that includes all stakeholders, but particularly local residents and businesses,” he said.

Over the past year, the Plan for Victoria engagement program has reached more than 110,000 Victorians online and in person, including targeted engagement with local councils and industry, as well as Traditional Owners.

More than 13,000 Victorians participated online or in person, and more than 15,000 pieces of feedback were received, with the draft plan set to be exhibited early this year. •