Allan’s high-rise tower plan threatens to 'ruin' Oakleigh's iconic Greek dining precinct

Furious Oakleigh residents fear their iconic Greek quarter will be destroyed by the state government's push for apartment towers that could reach up to 16 storeys.

Furious residents in Melbourne’s southeast have banded together against the Allan Government’s push to bring high-rise towers that will tower over their iconic walking precinct.

Furious Oakleigh locals are banding together to fight the Allan government’s proposal to build towering apartment blocks in the heart of Melbourne’s Greek quarter.

Hundreds have signed a petition opposing the state government’s Activity Centre plan for high-rises of up to 16 storeys near Oakleigh’s popular Eaton Mall.

The plan focuses on encouraging housing towers in activity centre “cores” close to railway stations and trams as part of a push to build more homes across Melbourne to ease the state’s housing crisis.

Oakleigh residents have signed a petition that opposes Premier Jacinta Allan’s plan that allows for high rise buildings as tall as 16 storeys to be built near a popular food and shopping precinct. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

The planning zone in Oakleigh focuses on increasing housing density on Atkinson St, near Eaton Mall and the railway station.

The government had previously said it wants high-rise developments to be built around transport hubs as part of its target of having 800,000 new homes built in Melbourne within a decade.

It wants a “core” of taller buildings – from six to 16 storeys – around railway stations with eligible developments “deemed to comply” with planning rules and exempt from review at VCAT.

Surrounding streets would see lower rise apartments and townhouses ranging from three to six storeys, with heights gradually decreasing as you get further from the “core” area.

Draft for the Oakleigh activity centre from the Victorian State Government.

The government’s plan has seen major pushback from residents in some of the designated suburbs, with more than 200 Oakleigh residents signing a petition to “protect Oakleigh Mall”.

Oakleigh residents Elaine and Trevor Parry, who started the petition, told the Herald Sun the proposal threatens the character and liveability of their suburb.

“We were a bit surprised that they just decided to put 16 storeys into the old part of Oakleigh where just about every building there is two storeys at the moment,” Mr Parry said.

The couple – who have lived in Oakleigh for more than 40 years – said Eaton Mall was known for being a low-rise, open-air, walking precinct.

“Eaton Mall is coffee shops, Greek restaurants, fresh food, shopping and that’s all one to two storeys … so I don’t know why they would put a 12 to 16 storey overlay over the whole of Oakleigh’s shopping precinct,” Mr Parry said.

“It’s just going to ruin the whole of central Oakleigh and people won’t want to live here,” Ms Parry said.

“Everyone sits out in the open in the mall, in the sunshine and you’re going to have overshadowing and wind tunnel effects from multistorey buildings.

“We don’t want it to become like Box Hill which is all high-rises.”

The couple said they are not opposed to development “in the right location”.

“We are trying to protect the Oakleigh mall – the reason people want to live in Oakleigh and why they come to Oakleigh.”

Locals said that high rises around Eaton Mall will “ruin the whole of central Oakleigh”. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A state government spokesperson said the plans would “deliver more homes in areas well served by trains, trams, shops and jobs”.

“Places where so many Victorians want to live but who have been locked out because of sheer lack of choice and supply.

“We’re prepared to make changes that reflect the feedback we get, with controls allowing for more homes while protecting the things that matter – sunny streets, parks and good design.”