Developer downsizes in revised proposal for empty Melanka site in Alice Springs as opposition grows

Red Centre residents including a local councillor have voiced opposition for a proposed apartment complex in Alice Springs, which the developer has downsized. Find out why.

Melanka new downsized plans for 94 Todd St, Alice Springs, with 144 new apartments as opposed to 174 now planned for the site. Picture: DKJ Projects Architecture

A developer’s downsized proposal for more than 100 new apartments in Alice Springs hasn’t won over some residents, and a local councillor, who is now petitioning against it.

Months after submissions closed on their first proposal, Melanka have submitted a new scaled back vision for 94 Todd St, with 144 new apartments now planned for the site.

The updated plans were revealed ahead of a NT Planning Commission meeting held in Alice Springs on Tuesday, where local councillor Marli Banks and other residents voiced their opposition.

The last proposal for the site by Melanka, released in July, sought to build 174 apartments spread over five 20m high six storey buildings and one five storey building.

Melanka’s new scaled back vision for 94 Todd St, Alice Springs, with 144 new apartments as opposed to 174 now planned for the site. Picture: DKJ Projects Architecture

The updated proposal has kept much the same, but dropped one of six storey buildings from the site – spreading the apartments over four six storey buildings.

The five storey building remains from the previous plan, as well as the single storey office block proposed.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Cunnington Town Planners’ Brad Cunnington said one of the apartment buildings was removed to increase setbacks for apartments which will front Hartley St.

“The removal of that building resulted in a reduction to dwelling yields from 174 to 144 and then correspondingly quite a significant reduction in the amount of carparking that’s required on the site,” he said.

The July proposal for 94 Todd Street, by Melanka. Picture: DKJ Projects Architecture

Submissions tabled by the Alice Springs Town Council for the original proposal said an “outdated” traffic impact assessment was submitted and the plan for 174 apartments had a “shortfall” of 46 parking spaces.

The updated proposal has lowered the number of bays for the site from 265 to 248 and tabled a new traffic impact assessment.

However, with entry to the site now shifted from Stott Tce to Todd St, the council is now seeking money from Melanka for the loss of the Todd St street parking.

Mr Cunnington said this will be disputed under the planning scheme as the development progresses.

Speaking in opposition to the proposal was Ms Banks, who tabled a petition with more than 75 signatures against the development.

Ms Banks said she was not at the meeting “representing business of council” but was against the proposal for a variety of reasons.

Most notable was how the proposal exceeded the current three-storey height limit as dictated by the site’s current tourist-commercial zoning.

Alice Springs Town Councillor Marli Banks. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Three other residents also spoke in opposition, calling it an “eyesore” and questioning the consultation process behind the development.

The Northern Territory government has earmarked 50 per cent of the apartments for “public servants, teachers, nurses, police officers”, Mr Cunnington said.

The site has sat empty since 2008 after a backpackers and nightclub was demolished on the site.

Large scale developments on the site have been approved in 2010 and 2015 – the latter being a proposal for a rooftop bar, 86 bed hotel, and a childcare centre. 

Cunnington Town Planners submitted the plan for Melanka, with Melanka director Michael Sitzler supporting Mr Cunnington at the meeting.

The decision on the future of the site now sits with Minister for Lands, Planning, and Environment Josh Burgoyne.

Originally published as Developer downsizes in revised proposal for empty Melanka site in Alice Springs as opposition grows