Maribyrnong’s Highpoint Homemaker Centre has $75-80m price hopes

A HUGE development site next to Highpoint shopping centre has hit the market, sparking residents’ fears an onslaught of high-rise apartments will lead to more traffic pain for the busy inner west.

MARIBYRNONG’S transport and road networks won’t cope with an onslaught of high-rise apartments set to inundate the area over the next decade, residents fear.

Highpoint’s Homemaker Centre is the latest development opportunity to hit the market with industry sources tipping the 4.6ha property to make an eye watering $75-$80 million.

The GPT Group is selling the site on Rosamond Rd, currently home to major businesses including Spotlight, Harvey Norman and Forty Winks.

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Agents of the sale have revealed they expect apartment developers will be among those interested in purchasing the site.

Stonebridge Property director Lincoln Blackledge said there was potential for developers to exceed the 10-storey cap limit due to a 17-storey development neighbouring the site in Wests Rd.

“There’s already precedents that are materially in excess of that, which suggests that even greater heights and densities may well be achieved via the appropriate planning pathways,” Mr Blackledge said.

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The Highpoint Homemaker Centre is up for sale on Rosamond Rd, Maribyrnong.

CONCERNS OVER PARKING AND CONGESTION

Locals have hit back at the development prospect saying the Highpoint area will not be able to handle too many high-rise towers.

Limited parking and heavy traffic congestion topped the list of residents’ concerns.

“That area is a traffic nightmare as it is,” resident Kitty Brown said.

“It cannot support more high density housing.”

Resident Craig Hill said there was a lack of transport and there was no potential to build any.

“All river crossing roads are clogged,” he said.

“Maribyrnong Rd bridge and Gordon St are car parks and tram roadblocks.

“Past failures in planning are now very obvious.”

CBRE’s Justin Dowers, who is also working on the site’s sale, said with Highpoint across the road as well as nearby transport options, the demand for apartments in the area would be great.

It comes after a 12-storey mega retail and residential complex, which was approved by Maribyrnong Council in March, would also neighbour the future development.

The $80 million complex in White St will house 268 apartments with two large-scale retail tenancies at ground level when complete.

The Leader has previously reported that the GPT Group wants to turn Highpoint into a major town square with the potential for a hotel, apartments on top of and around the centre, a medical hub and university.

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