Frankston Council knocks back 16 storey, 188 apartment development for Nepean Highway
A community campaign to stop a wall of high rise buildings along Frankston’s waterfront has notched up its first win. But the battle is far from over.
South East
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The future of a 16-storey residential tower proposed for Frankston’s waterfront precinct will be decided in court.
Frankston Council on Monday unanimously voted against the ambitious plan for a 56.9m, 188 apartment development at 438-444 Nepean Highway.
“We don’t need another South East Water … that area in front is a dead zone,” Cr Steven Hughes said.
The controversial $84 million, eight-storey headquarters for the water authority opened at the end of Wells St in 2015.
The brutalist style building fronts Kananook Creek and locals have long complained it dominates the skyline.
Cr Hughes said if it was up to him every building west of Nepean Highway would be bulldozed to make way for open space with parks and gardens for people to congregate
“The solution for Frankston is not more concrete,” Cr Hughes said.
Cr Brad Hill also voted to reject the “over the top” plan.
He pointed out that a decision on the plan would ultimately be made by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after the council failed to rule on the application within the required 60 days.
“The applicant has taken his application to VCAT, what we’re doing is affirming the council’s position,” Cr Hill said.
“It’s not over yet.”
The tower proposal features six retail spaces, two offices and a private rooftop yoga studio, steam room, and sauna as well as a dining and lounge area for residents.
An infinity pool and two barbecue areas are included along with 231 car spaces and 218 bicycle spaces.
At 56.9m, the proposed development would dwarf existing buildings in the area and is more than 20m taller than the current preferred height of 32m.
It also failed to meet the council’s preferred height of 41m proposed in the draft Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre (FMAC) structure plan.
A council report to be tabled on Monday night recommended refusing the application.
Frankston Development Services manager Sam Clements acknowledged the project would bring “much needed city centre housing”.
However, it was not considered a “suitable planning outcome” for Frankston.
“The proposal is far too large, too intense, and borrows far too heavily from the landscape and future amenity of neighbouring private and public land.”
The council received 80 objections to the plan which included concerns about excessive building height, overshadowing, overlooking, traffic and the impact upon neighbourhood character and the environment.
Objector Anne McKinlay said Frankston’s bay views were under threat from the tower and she feared plans for more high rises between the water and the highway.
“Will Frankston become just another large city that could be anywhere in Melbourne?” she said.
“The addition of high-rise buildings at the waterfront will transform the landscape. The coast and natural scenery will no longer be the focus.”
Ms McKinlay is part of the Stop The Great Wall of Frankston campaign which has the backing of high profile residents including the Reverend Tim Costello and Frankston’s current citizen of the year Warwick Exton.
More than 2500 have signed a petition to protect Frankston’s bay views and implement strict height controls.