Golden Age’s plans for New Chinatown in Box Hill causes concern

It’s already been dubbed the “New Chinatown” of Melbourne, but the $450 million food and retail vision for Box Hill has hit a snag, with the plans approved by Whitehorse Council revealed as “significantly different” to what is being spruiked.

Golden Age’s design for New Chinatown in Box Hill.

Plans for a ‘New Chinatown’ in Box Hill have “perplexed” and concerned those living nearby, who had no idea the council had approved such a development.

And Whitehorse councillor Blair Barker is adamant the plans being advertised for Golden Age’s $450 million Sky Village are “significantly different” from what the council signed off on.

Golden Age boss Jeff Xu said the development at 517-521 Station St, Box Hill, would feature 12000sq m of retail space over three levels and a 4000sq m Hawker Hall within two 18-storey towers.

“New Chinatown is a modern expression of Chinese culture and traditions, combining the best of authentic Chinese flavours and dishes in a contemporary, thriving locale,” Mr Xu said.

Whitehorse Council approved two 18-storey towers for 517-521 Station St, Box Hill.

He said a proposed Chinese language school, bookshop, Chinese herbalists and Chinese and Western medical clinics, would be included in the cultural precinct, alongside a 1500sq m childcare centre and 429 apartments.

The details for the high-rise development — which the council issued a permit for back in July 2017 — have both worried and excited those living in the area.

Cr Barker said the plans the council had approved made “absolutely no” reference to the development’s intentions to be a new cultural landmark.

“What Mr Xu’s talking about and what was approved impressed me as quite different concepts,” Cr Barker said.

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He said he was perplexed by the talk of a Chinese cultural precinct, language school and medical centres.

Cr Barker said residents had been ringing him complaining about the plans, which appear starkly different from what the public made submissions on when the application was advertised in 2017.

They’re concerned about carparking and traffic implications of the additional plans, as well as their feeling Box Hill already lacks “a lot of cultural diversity”.

These worries were highlighted in a report Whitehorse Council adopted last week, in which researchers preparing to create a plan for the future of the Box Hill Metropolitan Activity Centre surveyed residents.

The report said “a significant number of respondents” spoke of “tensions from a perceived dominance by two major cultural groups rather than the diversity representative of broader Melbourne”.

A hawkers hall will feature in the New Chinatown development. Pictured is chef Qingyuan Xie at Man Tong Kitchen at Crown. Picture: Alex Coppel

It said “very few” called Box Hill “a multicultural place” and there was a strong desire for greater range of cultures to be represented in the shops and restaurants.

Cr Barker said council officers had confirmed to him Golden Age would need to amend its planning permit to build the plans being spruiked.

He said he would consider the plans “very, very carefully” before giving his support, particularly in light of the new report.

“Diversity is very important,” he said. “And something we should be striving towards instead of having mono or bi-cultural areas.”

Mr Xu told Whitehorse Leader Golden Age would seek approval for the additional facilities not included in the permit.

He said his vision was to provide reasons for “local and international visitors alike to experience the area”.

“We have received overwhelming initial support from council, local community members and many local stakeholders regarding the initial plans,” Mr Xu said.

“We are very much looking forward to working with the mayor and key councillors to deliver a precinct that the whole area can be proud of.”