‘Absolute disgrace’: Allan government under fire over hospital project

The Allan government is considering approving an 11-storey hospital on Errol St, prompting fears from neighbours it will cause traffic and parking chaos.

North Melbourne residents are up in arms over an application to build an 11-storey, 223 bed health service in North Melbourne.

The Allan government could green light a “sprawling” private hospital just metres from residents’ doorsteps under a controversial proposal that concerned locals would have no power to challenge.

The proposed 11-storey, 223 bed health service in North Melbourne has prompted an outcry from furious locals who fear the development will destroy amenity and cause traffic and parking chaos.

An independent town planning assessment – commissioned by concerned residents around Chapman and Errol Streets – found the hospital would present an “intensity of use that is unsuitable for a site located in a residential zone”.

The proposed hospital would replace an existing hotel on Errol St. Picture: Supplied

The application bypassed Melbourne City council and is sitting on the desk of Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, meaning locals have no power to challenge it at VCAT if the permit is approved.

North Melbourne resident Bernie Cahir, who represents a group of more than 70 concerned locals, slammed a lack of transparency and consultation from the Allan government.

Documents submitted with the permit application suggest discussions first occurred in 2021.

However, Mr Cahir said residents were only informed about the proposal on November 7 this year, meaning they had just two weeks to make a submission.

“Unlike if this was a permit under the council’s jurisdiction, there is no VCAT appeal option if approved. The planning process is not transparent,” he said.

“The lack of transparency in the viability of the project, the assessment timelines and the lack of review does not bode well for all of the proposed developments that the Minister will be approving under similar circumstance across Melbourne.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny will consider the application. Picture: Aaron Francis

“The lack of transparency by the proponent and Minister is very poor and does not provide a long-term strategic outcome suitable to the state, the City of Melbourne and the local residents.”

Mr Cahir said it’s “not appropriate” for a hospital to “sprawl” in the middle of a quiet residential neighbourhood.

“The proponent’s objective seems to be to squeeze as much development on the site as possible and to create an out-of-scale landmark building with little regard for the residents,” he said.

Opposition planning spokesman James Newbury said: “The Bendigo based Premier is ripping away the rights of Melburnians from having a proper say over giant developments being built around them”.

“Instead, the Labor Planning Minister will instruct communities like North Melbourne what buildings they have to put up with. It is an absolute disgrace,” he said.

Opposition planning spokesman James Newbury said the concerns of residents must be considered. Picture: Nadir Kinani

Melbourne Greens MP Ellen Sandell has written to Ms Kilkenny to flag concerns that community consultation had been inadequate.

A government spokeswoman said the proposal will be considered on its merits and will take a range of factors into account.

She said mandatory height limits within the general residential zone only apply to dwellings.

The applicant was contacted for comment.

Originally published as ‘Absolute disgrace’: Allan government under fire over hospital project