Melbourne City Council report objects to proposed Melbourne Business School project in Carlton
Melbourne University has big plans for a revamped Melbourne Business School in Carlton, including a 13-level tower for education and student accommodation — but the council may stand in its way.
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City authorities are unhappy with a Melbourne University plan to pull down heritage buildings and create a 13-level tower for education and student accommodation.
The $143 million Melbourne Business School project in Pelham St Carlton would house about 2600 staff and students, and include 78 student units, a gym and shops.
Designed by Woods Bagot, it would comprise two basement levels, an eight-storey podium and five-level tower.
A City of Melbourne planning report said the site had a complex of inter-war and post-war factories and warehouses that had been repurposed for the existing business school and the university.
“The application seeks full demolition of the buildings to the south of Lt Pelham St (and) partial demolition of the buildings to the north of Lt Pelham St,” it said.
The state government has referred the application to the city council for comment.
A meeting is due to consider the issue on September 15.
The council report said that while expansion of the business school facilities was positive, the university and accommodation building was too big for the site.
“The design response does not justify the full and partial demolition of the heritage
buildings, and the scale, form and appearance of the development will adversely affect the amenity, character and heritage significance of the site and surrounds,” it said.
Melbourne Business School Dean Prof Ian Harper said last year that the site had been earmarked as an emerging innovation district.
“We hope to play a key role in bringing that to life,” he said
“Our vision is that the new building will become a central location that strengthens relationships between local and international leaders, thinkers, their organisations and communities.”
The council report said that other planning issues involved the failure to provide single level access and sightlines in the through block link; the absence of laundry, cooking and dining facilities, and communal indoor areas for the student housing component of the development.
The report included detailed recommendations to help the applicant, “however, some matters are significant and not able to be dealt with by permit conditions”.
It recommended that council formally object to the application to the state Planning Department.
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