Housing developments to replace former school sites across Monash

SCHOOL’S out but developments are on the way in, with hundreds of new townhouses expected to crop up at former school sites in Melbourne’s east.

Karina Makse-Hill and neighbours are upset at the proposed development of old Clayton West Primary, located in Oakleigh Sth. Developers want to build 108 townhouses. Some of the neighbours upset with the proposal. Orazio Carf, Tony Sharp, Karina Makse-Hill, Karoline Czhakowska and Ida Iannarella Picture: Lawrence Pinder

HUNDREDS of new townhouses are expected to crop up on five former Monash school sites that sold for a combined $97 million last year.

But neighbours are already fretting about the density and impact of the proposed developments.

The State Government rezoned the former Oakleigh South, Clayton and Clayton West primary schools, Brandon Park Secondary College and Monash Special Development School sites to allow for residential development.

Then Planning Minister Matthew Guy also placed Development Plan Overlays on all five sites, despite the objections of Monash Council and residents.

Under a DPO, residents do not have the right to appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Of the five sites, three development plans have already been released by Monash Council for public consultation and a fourth is imminent.

No development plan has yet been scheduled or released for the former Clayton Primary School site.

Oakleigh South mother Karina Makse-Hill, who lives near the former Clayton West Primary School site, said she and her neighbours were concerned about the density of the proposed development.

Developer Spire Group has released plans for 108 townhouses with only one entry/exit point onto Alvina St.

A traffic report estimates the development would generate about 702 vehicle trip-ends a day, with one car entering or exiting the site every 51 seconds on average during peak times.

Mrs Makse-Hill said the development would flood Alvina St with traffic and be detrimental to the safety of elderly residents and people with children.

“I wouldn’t be able to let (my children) ride their bikes to school if there’s that much traffic,” she said.

Mrs Makse-Hill, who has organised a petition against the development, said irate neighbours had met and were writing to the council.

The former Brandon Park Secondary College site. Picture: Kylie Else.

The former Oakleigh South Primary School site. Picture: Kris Reichl.

Planning & Property Partners director Paul Little, speaking on behalf of Spire Group, said the proposed development offered variety in a neighbourhood dominated by mostly single dwellings on large blocks.

“It provides a dwelling type for families which may be at a different price point to conventional housing in the area,” Mr Little said.

Mr Little said the plans responded appropriately to the DPO in place, which called for “a range of dwelling types to cater for a variety of housing needs”.

“It isnot in any way a dense development in context of current residential trends but there is a distinction from the prevailing character of the area,” Mr Little said.

He also said traffic engineers had determined that Alvina St could “comfortably” accommodate increased traffic flow.

Meanwhile, a four-storey apartment building with 122 apartments, plus 28 three-bedroom townhouses, has been proposed for the former Monash Special Development School site.

And at the former Oakleigh South Primary School site, Madisson Projects has proposed 56 townhouses plus up to 65 apartments in a three-storey building.

Ryman Healthcare’s plans to build a 400-person retirement village on the former Brandon Park Secondary College site have yet to be released, but spokesman David King said the company hoped to begin work on the site this year or early next year.

Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris said the council had supported the sites being rezoned residential, and it was appropriate for some housing to be provided on them.

“However, we will be looking very closely to ensure that these developments are not too large for the sites,” Cr Klisaris said.

“There is strong demand for housing in Monash but it needs to be managed to ensure we respect what is special about Monash today.”

Cr Klisaris said there was a State Government requirement for councils to provide more housing opportunities.

But he said Monash, through its proposed new residential zones, was trying to direct growth around activity centres rather than neighbourhood streets.

The former Monash Special Development School site. Picture: Janine Eastgate.

Interesting times for real estate market

PROPERTY experts are divided about the impact on the market of hundreds of new townhouses and apartments.

Some warn that an abundance of properties could eventually lead to an oversupply of housing stock, while others say the new developments would be a plus for Oakleigh and Clayton.

Woodards Oakleigh associate Chris Karantzas said a plethora of new properties meant that buyers would have more choice, meaning they could haggle to pay less.

“This is an interesting time for the area,” Mr Karantzas said.

“Several years ago there were few new townhouses or apartments and people were paying a premium. However, once there are so many available, buyers will be in a better position.”

Mr Karantzas said the expansion of the Monash Children’s Hospital, the removal of the notorious Clayton Rd level crossing, and the huge Monash University Clayton campus student population were all drivers for the housing developments in the area.

Barry Plant Oakleigh director Nick Kamaretsos said new low-maintenance townhouses would also appeal to older residents who wanted to stay in the area but could no longer manage their larger homes.

Mr Kamaretsos said buyers now considered Oakleigh a smart and trendy area, and its appeal was flowing on to Clayton.

“As long as the developers have a good plan and properties are not built cheaply or quickly, the developments can only be beneficial to the area,” he said.

“As long as it’s a good product, it will improve the area.”

The former Clayton Primary School site. Picture: Kris Reichl.

The sites:

■ Oakleigh South Primary School, sold for $13.5 million

Location: 1 Beryl Ave, Oakleigh South

Developer: Madisson Projects

Plans: 56 townhouses, 60-65 apartments

Monash Council is accepting written submissions until July 22.

■ Monash Special Development School, sold for $11.2 million

Location: 1 Renver Rd, Clayton

Developer: Unconfirmed

Plans: 28 townhouses, 122 apartments

Monash Council is accepting written submissions until July 17.

■ Clayton West Primary School, sold for $14 million

Location: 10 Alvina St, Oakleigh South

Developer: Spire Group

Plans: 108 townhouses

Monash Council is accepting written submissions until July 8.

■ Brandon Park Secondary College, sold for $47.5 million

Location: 6-30 Brandon Park Drive, Wheelers Hill

Developer: Ryman Healthcare

Plans: Yet to be released, but it is understood a retirement village will be proposed.

■ Clayton Primary School, sold for $11.1 million

Location: 29 Browns Rd, Clayton

Developer: Abacus Property Group

Plans: A time frame for the release of the plans has yet to be announced.