VCAT stops Churches of Christ Heidelberg Rd, Alphington development
An Alphington neighbourhood group is rejoicing after its second huge win against developers in less than a year. The latest victory has stopped a 13-storey tower being built next to family homes, and it was all thanks to the hard work of fundraisers.
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A neighbourhood group who raised $80,000 to take two developers to VCAT has successfully stopped plans for a 13-storey apartment tower next to family homes.
And they’re hoping it will be a warning to any builder thinking they can make a quick buck.
On June 11, VCAT ruled against Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania, who appealed Yarra Council’s decision to deny them a permit for a 13-storey building at 582 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington.
In October last year, the group won a reduction in height from eight storeys to five at the development at 700-718 Heidelberg Rd.
VCAT presiding member Michael Deidun and member Ann Keddie ruled the proposed 13-storey building would have an “overwhelming presence” in the neighbourhood.
“It is our view that the form and siting of the proposed building would create a significant change to the character of the northern half of Coate Ave,” they said.
Alphington Fairfield Appropriate Development Association president Todd Perry said it was a huge win for the community.
“We love the place that we live, we’re happy to accept other people will come in and live in our suburb and that density will increase but we don’t want greed to be a detriment to the standard of living that we have,” he said.
After convincing Yarra councillors to deny the permit in June last year, Mr Perry said they knew they needed to continue their fight in VCAT because of the resources available to developers.
He said anyone who wanted to win a fight against developers had to get professional lawyers involved.
“They’ve got some big guns there in terms of legal representation and hire expert witnesses,” he said.
“The sale of one apartment virtually pays for the legal costs.
“We’re just a group of residents that doesn’t have that sort of network.”
AFADA and the West Alphington Residents group hired a barrister to represent them at the tribunal, fundraising $80,000 to pay for the two Heidelberg Rd cases.
The group ran trivia nights, an art silent auction, distributed flyers and doorknocked neighbours.
Mr Perry also recommended individuals get in contact with residents groups in their area to co-ordinate a wider community response to development applications.
He said winning the battle was about “getting mobilised, organised and raising the money.”
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Mr Perry said he hoped his own win would be a warning to any developers trying to take advantage of the area.
“They know the community has two wins in Alphington so if they come down here they’re in for a contest,” he said.
CCVT declined to comment.
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