Ashburton public housing site battle grows between Boroondara Council and State Government

A large Ashburton site, the former home of 1950s public housing, has become the latest battleground between a council and the State Government, who have locked horns several times in the past. So, what’s the sticking point?

Plans for the site have caused a lot of controversy through the years. Picture: Steve Tanner

Another fight is brewing between Boroondara Council and the State Government over development, this time the location is a former public housing complex in Ashburton

The Department of Housing and Human Services wants to turn Markham Estate into a mix of 178 public and private apartments in five buildings up to four levels in height.

But the council’s biggest sticking point with planning scheme amendment C321boro is it not being the site’s responsible authority.

It comes after the council and Planning Minister Richard Wynne traded blame regarding the demolition of several heritage-listed houses in the past 18 months.

Markham Estate before the buildings were demolished. Picture: Janine Eastgate

The site at 2-18 Markham Ave, about 14,650sq m in size, has been used for public housing since the 1950s, when nine double-storey buildings housing 56 apartments were constructed.

Demolished in early 2016, the land has since lain vacant.

It has been subject to a lot of debate in recent years, with much angst regarding the State Government’s control over the site.

The new development is projected to comprise 111 public housing apartments in the complex, which would be located in three of the five buildings.

Boroondara city planning director Shiran Wickramasinghe said the council did “not support the proposed planning scheme amendment which would … (remove) council from its normal role as decision maker”.

September 2015 aerial view of 2-18 Markham Ave, Ashburton, before the buildings were demolished.

The council will also advise Mr Wynne that should the amendment proceed, the plans needed to be “substantially modified” to reduce the building’s height and “address amenity impacts including overlooking, overshadowing, traffic congestion and inadequate onsite carparking”.

Council is also worried about the development’s impact on the Gardiners Creek trail.

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A Government spokeswoman, who did not want to be named, said the Planning Minister was asked to be the responsible authority because the Markham estate redevelopment “has already experienced significant delays” as to “provide clear and decisive oversight and get this vital project off the ground”.

She said this would help prevent further delays and that “the local community, Boroondara and other stakeholders have been and will continue to be consulted as plans progress”.