Mont Albert substation on Victoria Crescent could be converted into house
An old electrical substation in Mont Albert is set for conversion into a very compact slice of real estate. Here’s what’s planned for the site, which is just 33 square metres.
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An old electrical substation in Mont Albert could be converted into one of Melbourne’s smallest houses.
Its owner has applied to renovate the small brick building, which covers the entire 33sq m constituting 16A Victoria Crescent, and add a second storey to create a one-bedroom home.
The existing structure would contain a living space, kitchenette, powder room, shower and staircase, which would lead to a single bedroom on a second floor.
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As the property has no garden or off-road outdoor space, the station’s front wall would be recessed on one side to accommodate a porch, where the house’s rubbish and recycling bins would be stored.
The house would be just centimetres from a double-story house planned for 16 Victoria Crescent, and would not have windows on the northern or eastern sides to avoid overlooking into the neighbouring property.
The substation is bordered on its south by a lane, and a tree and power pole are less than 4m away on the nature strip.
The application to Whitehorse Council for the $95,000 renovation seeks permission to create a dwelling on less than 300sq m, to build within 4m of a tree and for a reduction in the statutory carpark requirement.
The disused substation is owned by a Box Hill woman, who Whitehorse Leader has contacted for comment.
The substation was sold to a private owner on September 14 for $116,000.
But Victoria Crescent residents have taken to Facebook to criticise the plans and urge others to object to them.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said the “inappropriate” proposal did not fit in with the street and would set a dangerous precedent.
But Mont Albert’s Jodie Harris suggested the substation being used as a house would “have the least impact” on surrounding properties, saying it would not establish a new standard as it was a unique site that state legislation would not replicate for housing purposes.
“It’s a redundant building on disused land,” she said.
“If it wasn’t converted to a dwelling, what could it be used for? It’s been sold.”
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