Box Hill to get another 30-storey tower after VCAT dispute

ANOTHER 30-storey tower has been given the green light in Box Hill — but it’s missing one thing locals are desperate for, with the council losing its dispute over the plans.

Panorama Box Hill is set to rise 30-storeys.

ANOTHER 30-storey tower is on the way to Box Hill, following a dispute between the developer and Whitehorse Council.

What appears to be a misunderstanding over Panorama Investment’s offer to make 10 of its 382 apartments “affordable housing” has led to the building being approved at VCAT without the council’s consent.

The council granted a permit in December last year for a tower at 826-834 Whitehorse Rd, with one of the many requirements being at least 10 apartments be transferred to a registered Housing Association, to the council’s satisfaction.

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But after the permit was issued, Panorama Investment argued it had never agreed to those conditions, having proposed it simply sell the 10 apartments “at a discounted price to purchasers who might ordinarily be unable to purchase dwellings in Box Hill”.

Panorama Box Hill is set to rise 30-storeys.

When the disagreement went before the tribunal in August, member Alison Glynn found the conditions imposed by the council were “different” and “un-agreed” to what had been discussed with Panorama.

The council then demanded the tribunal cancel the permit.

But Ms Glynn ruled the application could have been granted without the affordable housing requirement, according to the planning regulations, and approved the building.

The building will contain 382 apartments, as well as offices and retail space on the ground floor.

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Whitehorse is one of six councils that makes up the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance pushing for more affordable housing.

Housing Choices managing director Michael Lennon said the organisation supported the council’s effort to include affordable housing and was “ keen to work with developers to explore future options available”.

“Inclusionary zoning and planning mechanisms are reasonable and appropriate methods to increase the supply of affordable housing in Melbourne, which is so desperately needed.”