Investor plans three apartment towers for Nelson St, Ringwood

A FOREIGN investor plans to build 255 apartments across three towers in Melbourne’s outer east and the local council has no power to stop it.

Artist impression of a controversial apartment complex in Nelson St, Ringwood.

A FOREIGN investor is planning to build three apartment towers in residential Ringwood — and Maroondah Council has no power to stop it.

The 10-storey buildings at 42-50 Nelson St would include 255 apartments, nine townhouses, a gym and cafe. Upwards of 86 trees bordering the Mullum Mullum Creek would be removed.

Ringwood politicians have spoken out about the “concerning” development bordering Eastland, saying it would cause further congestion and create a blight on the leafy area.

But the development will bypass Maroondah Council’s planning controls and be decided on by Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne, who is the responsible authority of the block.

The State Government sold the land to a foreign investor in 2014 for almost $6 million and maintained power over its future.

It is zoned for high-density residential living but is limited to five-storey developments under the Maroondah Planning Scheme.

Ringwood state Liberal MP Dee Ryall said the proposal was inappropriate for the area and is calling on the Government to put caveats on its scale and density.

“If approved, it will be state sanctioned overdevelopment in Ringwood,” Ms Ryall said.

“This is a leafy area near Mullum Mullum Creek and will make for a lot of traffic and parking problems.”

Ward councillor Nora Lamont said applications of that magnitude should come through the council planning process.

“(This needs) to adhere to the planning scheme for this neighbourhood which includes height requirements of five storeys,” Cr Lamont said.

Cr Mary-Anne Lowe echoed concerns about the precedent the development would set for Maroondah.

Planning director Phil Turner said the council had the chance to lodge an objection, which would hopefully carry weight.

A decision will not be made until all agencies have responded, said Government spokesman Kosta Pandos. He said planning scheme provisions, submissions, agency comments and council views would be taken into consideration.

A public meeting will be held on site on December 5 from 10am to 2pm.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Is 10-storeys too high for Ringwood? Tell us below.

A developer plans to build 255 apartments at a site on Mullum Mullum Creek at Ringwood.