Meriton boss Harry Triguboff welcomes City of Sydney’s seal of approval for Zetland development

Billionaire developer Harry Triguboff has spoken after receiving a green light for his towering Meriton plans, labelling concerns about shadowing resulting from the development as “nonsense”.

City of Sydney councillors approved proposals for a large but contentious Meriton development in Zetland. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Billionaire developer Harry Triguboff has welcomed the City of Sydney’s approval for a 90m tower at Meriton’s controversial development in Zetland.

It comes after City of Sydney councillors voted through a planning proposal at the former Holden Suttons car dealership at 118-130 Epsom Rd and 905 South Dowling St, Zetland.

On Monday night all but one councillor, Yvonne Weldon, voted to approve the proposal and change the site’s height limit to allow one building to stand 25 storeys and up to 90m, while reducing the height of surrounding buildings.

Mr Triguboff welcomed the approval by council.

“I have been building in the City of Sydney for many years, and I have come to learn that good developments have different heights and product mixes, which makes them more interesting and pleasing to look at,” he said.

Artist impression of Meriton's development proposal in Zetland. Picture: Meriton

“That is why we planned it this way, with high-rise apartments, low-rise apartments as well as townhouses. We have been building in Zetland for many years, it’s an area that we are very familiar with and have been successful in.”

Mr Triguboff hit back at concerned residents who complained about the building “blocking the sun” was “nonsense”. He added: “The freeway casts more shadow because it’s taller than our buildings.”

Harry Triguboff has previously applauded moves to increase Sydney housing supply. Picture: Nick Cubbin

In response to parking concerns raised by residents in submissions, Mr Triguboff said: “We will help as much as possible regarding the car park and to accommodate our residents. We also have a new system in place currently for our construction workers to park onsite.”

An amendment, put in place by the city’s planning staff, meant Meriton would have to give one block of 25 units to an affordable housing provider.

Mr Triguboff didn’t directly respond to a question about an undisclosed contribution Meriton made to City of Sydney’s affordable housing fund.

“This is density done well,” councillor HY William Chan said, voting through the proposals on Monday night.

The project would deliver 784 apartments and 30 townhouses on the site.

Alexandra Luxford. Picture: John Fotiades

The plans have been contentious among residents, who spoke out about the density, size and lack of transport options for an influx of new residents. It would, however, provide more affordable options in the area amid a dearth of housing options.

“We’re rejecting monolith developments that you see across other towns, this respects the density of the site and is built on good design principles,” Mr Chan said.

Councillor Adam Worling said it showed the city was “consistently improving developments today and for the future”.

However, as previously reported by this publication, Randwick councillor Andrew Hay said “west Kensington would become the parking lot” if the proposal was approved.

A general view of Meriton Apartments in Zetland, Sydney. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Speaking after the approval, fellow Randwick councillor Alexandra Luxford said City of Sydney was “putting the cart before the horse”, given the lack of infrastructure in the Green Square precinct.

“I’m deeply saddened that the 130 submissions from residents, plus the detailed submission from Randwick Council were totally ignored,” she said.

“City of Sydney are not being good neighbours, this is bad planning, a 90m tower was never to go there, we have residents who will be in darkness for the rest of their lives … their houses won’t see sunlight.”

Ms Luxford said she won’t “give up” and “won’t rest until some sort of amicable outcome can be reached”.

Randwick Councillor Noel D’Souza said he believes the “right balance has been reached” with a spokesman from Heffron MP Ron Hoenig saying he had referred resident’s concerns to City of Sydney to consider as part of its assessment of the proposal.