11-storey ‘not in the public interest’ high-rise approved in Bankstown CBD

AN 11-storey development described as “not in the public interest” was approved last Tuesday despite council planners saying it should not go ahead.

AN 11-storey development described as “not in the public interest” was approved last Tuesday despite council planners saying it should not go ahead.

Four houses will be levelled to make way for 81 residential units, retail shops and a three-level basement carpark on French Ave in Bankstown.

Bankstown councillors voted to approve the development despite a seven-point recommendation from Bankstown Council planners to block the $19 million high-rise, around the corner from Bankstown TAFE.

Their report said the proposal failed to meet planning controls; it was too high; and its floor space ratio, or size in comparison to the site, was not in line with the zoning.

At the council meeting last Tuesday, Labor councillor Ian Stromborg asked why the plan should be approved when the report labelled it “not in the public interest”.

“It bothers me — the wording (of this report) — it’s pretty clear it says we shouldn’t approve it,” he said.

The block straddles two planning zones, raising a number of issues.

Cr Stromborg’s attempt to have the proposal deferred for a briefing with council’s lawyers and planners failed.

Bankstown Council general manager Matthew Stewart said a “split” in zoning on the site caused many of the noncompliance findings.

He said it was a rare “complex technical issue”.

“It was a difference of opinion where normally we’d go to a previous case but there isn’t one. I guess the only way to really get a ruling on it would be to go to the Land and Environment Court,” Mr Stewart said.

In a submission to council, planning firm DDC Urban Planning argued only one set of rules, instead of two caused by the split in zoning, should apply. It said larger floor space wasn’t an issue as residents wouldn’t notice it from the street.

Bankstown Labor Cr Ian Stromborg questioned why council should approve a development despite the planners’ strong message to refuse it. Picture: Timothy Clapin

Matthew Daniel, representing the developer, disagreed with council planners, saying the rules “would” allow the project’s extra height and floor space ratio.

Independent councillor Allan Winterbottom moved to approve the development if six conditions were met — reduce floor space from 3.53:1 to 3.5:1; change the set back of balconies; increase the size of some apartments; seek approval from Bankstown Airport for aircraft clearance; fix carpark issues; and address waste storage and collection concerns within 12 months.

Liberal councillors Naji Najjar, Michael Tadros and Jim Daniel, Labor councillor Toan Nguyen, independent councillors Allan Winterbottom and Scott Parker along with Mayor Khal Asfour voted for approval.

Labor councillors Linda Downey, Jenny Golledge, Alex Kuskoff and Ian Stromborg voted against it.

An online real estate listing — uploaded before the proposal went before council — lists the sale price of an apartment in “French Apartments” at more than $650,000.