Eastlakes Live: Decision time for Crown Group 500 unit proposal
An MP has made a last ditch plea with a decision expected this week on the controversial Eastlakes Live shopping and residential hub.
Southern Courier
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A decision will be made this week on a controversial proposal asking for the Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment to be increased to almost 500 units in buildings up to 12-storeys.
Last month, the proposal was included on a list of major projects to be fast-tracked by the state government, as part of an initiative to create jobs and boost the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developer Crown Group currently has approval to build 425 units and a new shopping centre on its development site in Sydney’s southeast, known as Eastlakes Live. That site includes the existing Eastlakes Shopping Centre.
However, the developer’s latest proposal is asking for an increase to 490 units, as well as the maximum height of buildings on the southern part of the site to be increased from 10 storeys to 12 storeys.
A decision will be made on the project by Thursday, according to the Department of Planning.
Heffron state Labor MP Ron Hoenig has criticised the proposal and decision to fast track the project.
“The developer must not get a free pass because of a pandemic – they must be made to comply with the requirements of Bayside Council,” Mr Hoenig said.
“Our community wants a new shopping centre with quality residential apartments, but what is proposed is an inappropriate overdevelopment.
“A good outcome is achievable but requires the applicant to work constructively with council.”
Bayside Council sent a letter to the Department of Planning in May opposing the modifications.
The letter stated “council reiterates its requests that the DPIE rejects (the latest proposal)” and pointed to concerns about height and scale, visual impacts of the buildings, and lack of public transport options in Eastlakes.
Despite opposition to the plan, the 490-unit proposal has been scaled back since it was first put forward, and at one stage was asking for 600 apartments to be erected in buildings up to 14 storeys.
A Department of Planning spokesman said they had chosen major projects to fast track decisions on which would create jobs across the state and which were already in the system seeking approval.
“We are working to a target of creating or supporting 30,000 construction and operational jobs within the next six months.
“So far there have been two tranches of accelerated projects and there will be further tranches announced in due course.
“The department is still completing its assessment of the Eastlakes Shopping Centre project and a determination will be made by 18 June.”
Crown Group chief operations officer development, hotel and retail Pierre Abrahamse said, last month, Eastlakes Live would be a thriving centre when it was completed with benefits for the whole community.
“(Eastlakes Live) will be somewhere that residents can live, shop and play all in one place but which will also attract visitors from the surrounding area for its inviting new shopping and dining attractions,” he said.
“It aims to set a new standard for retail excellence with two major supermarkets and up to 50 other retailers offering fresh food, convenience goods and services … a restaurant promenade, street cafes, as well as landscaped gardens and children’s play areas.”