Monbulk could get first apartment development on Main St

The township of Monbulk could get its first apartment building on Main St, across from the primary school. And the prospect has garnered mixed reactions.

The apartments would be spread across three levels.

The township of Monbulk could get its first apartment building on Main St, across from the primary school.

Plans to build a $7.3 million development, comprising 21 apartments, two shops and a cafe, opposite Monbulk Living and Learning Centre at 22-26 Main St have been submitted to Yarra Ranges Council.

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The three single-storey commercial businesses at the site would be demolished to make way for a three-storey building.

A render of the rear view of the proposed apartments.

It would host three traders on its ground floor, with 16 two-bedroom apartments and five one-bedroom apartments distributed across the three levels.

A basement carpark containing 29 car spaces and 14 bicycles spaces would be located under the building, and would be accessed from the main road.

The proposal has received mixed reactions from residents.

When Monbulk and District Community Opportunities Working Group, whose committee declined to comment on the plans, brought attention to the application on Facebook a number of people agreed the type of development wasn’t in line with the area’s “rural” character. “Won’t be long until we are just like Knox, Berwick, Lilydale. No more rural community,” one user posted online.

“We live in the hills for just that, if we want a city we move to the city,” another said.

But some residents believe the building could be a positive addition to the township.

Traders hoped ALDI would save the struggling town when it moved in five years ago. Picture: Steve Tanner

Leitia Shipsey, who has lived in the area for 19 years, said the proposal “could be a new lease on life for Monbulk” and “a chance to create housing for small families and the elderly”. “

A rural community needs growth or it’ll die out,” she said.

Main St businesses have suffered from a lack of trade in recent years.

Many hoped the opening of Aldi supermarket in 2014, which is next door to the proposed development, would increase the number of local shoppers.