Plans for 12-storey towers ‘at odds’ with Elsternwick neighbourhood character

THERE are fears plans to allow 12-storey buildings in Elsternwick will create “a mini city” on the suburb’s fringe.

Glen Eira residents say plans to allow 12-storey height limits in Elsternwick are out of character with the local neighbourhood.

THERE are fears plans for 12-storey buildings in Elsternwick will create “a mini city” on the suburb’s fringe.

And it could set a “dangerous” precedent for other suburbs such as Carnegie and Bentleigh, opponents warn.

The proposed changes are part of Glen Eira Council’s “Elsternwick draft concept plans”.

Suzanne Ryder, who has lived in Elsternwick for more than a decade, said residents were furious at the council’s proposal to rezone residential streets in the area to allow 12-storey high rise development.

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“It’s essentially creating a mini-city on the Elsternwick fringe,” Mrs Ryder said.

“The plan will result in the loss of properties from the 1880s to early 1900s.”

She said the move was at odds with the council’s vision for Elsternwick to embrace its historic character and “village feel” and the proposal did not explain how Elsternwick would cope with the projected 20 per cent increase in population.

Buildings up to 12 storeys may be allowed under Glen Eira Council plans.

Mrs Ryder said residents were angry they were not notified, with most not receiving a council-issued pamphlet about the plan.

Glen Eira Residents Association president Bette Hatfield warned the increased height limits would set a dangerous precedent for the municipality, particularly Carnegie and Bentleigh.

A petition against the plan has more than 160 signatures.

Emma Mills wrote the proposed development was “fundamentally at odds with the social and urban fabric of Elsternwick”, a largely residential, family suburb.

“They (12-storey buildings) will destroy the intact 1880s streetscape which create much of the charm and appeal of this suburb.”

“The associated traffic with a proposal if this scale and density would bring the suburb and those neighbouring it to grid lock.”

Suki Ibbetson wrote that she moved to the area for the “Elsternwick dream”, but according to the concept plans she was now living “on the wrong side of the tracks”.

Glen Eira Council chief executive Rebecca McKenzie said they had been engaging with residents and businesses in Elsternwick about height, building types, and community spaces.

“Consultation on the proposals is still ongoing and will be for some time,” Ms McKenzie said.

She said most recently they wrote to 3,456 residents and businesses in Elsternwick on July 27 inviting them to provide feedback on draft concept proposals which consider such issues as height.

She said a community forum was held in Elsternwick on August 27 with about 90 participants and the mayor had met with groups of residents on request.

“Feedback received so far has helped to shape the current proposals, but we do want more input before finalising the draft Elsternwick Structure Plan in late October.”

She said the draft structure plan would then be released to the community for a further six weeks of consultation.

Ms McKenzie acknowledged not all residents who may be affected had “engaged with our consultation process to date”.

“We will make a greater effort to provide more detail in clear and easy to understand formats for the next stages of the consultation.”