‘Great Wall of Frankston’ high-rises approved in dramatic foreshore overhaul

Two of three Surfers Paradise-style high-rises have won permits to be built in a controversial overhaul of the beachside suburb’s foreshore, in a move that’s infuriated locals.

Two of the three 14-storey high rises dubbed the “Great Wall of Frankston” by angry locals have won permits, paving the way for a contentious overhaul of the beachside suburb.

The third high rise plan, which was blocked by the state planning tribunal last year, is now heading to the Supreme Court in a bid by developers to resurrect the project.

The two permits already granted are at 424 Nepean Hwy and 446 Nepean Hwy, just behind Kananook Creek and a stone’s throw from the Frankston foreshore.

They allow for towers almost 50 metres high with 105 and 94 apartments respectively, as well as shops, offices, restaurants and cafes, and a gym.

All three proposals were within Frankston’s activity centre and commercial zone, but some community groups tried to protect the area from what they said were “Surfers Paradise-style” developments.

The proposed development is a stone’s throw from the Frankston foreshore.

In tribunal hearings they argued that approvals “would create a precedent for further tall development, leading to an even greater impact upon the foreshore environs”.

Project backers said the towers would provide much-needed housing and would bring a new vibrancy to Frankston, which has historically dealt with socio-economic disadvantage.

The area also sits within a planned state activity centre, which encourages more density and affordable housing, but there is no requirement for social housing units to be included in the three developments.

Tim Costello, who lives near the developments and has led the Stop the Great Wall of Frankston Alliance, said the development is a “visual, environmental and social disaster”.

Mr Costello slammed the decision to not build social housing within the development, hitting out at Frankston Council and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.

“In the last 10 years Frankston Council has completely bent over for multi million dollar developers and the poor miss out again,” he said.

“Social housing crisis in Frankston remains unaddressed. It’s entrenched in a tale of two cities. The rich with views and the poor, who are long term Frankston residents, miss out again.”

Mr Costello said the development will be an “eyesore” and completely reshape the vibe of the area.

“It’s visually disgusting. If You wanted a way to ruin Frankston quickly, Sonya Kilkenny has done that,” he said.

“She has done something in Frankston that she’d never do in her own neighbouring electorate. It’s hypocritical.

“Most of all she’s failed Labor values.”

Angry locals say the towers will be an “eyesore” and “visually disgusting”.

The most recent permit issued is for a tower almost 50 metres high proposed by OYOB developers and designed by Bruce Henderson Architects.

Developers describe it as a “luxury high-rise apartment complex”.

An Urban DC project permit was granted in April.

Last year both projects were thrown into doubt after Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny intervened during a community campaign to put in place a temporary overlay that limited developments along that section of the highway to three storeys.

That later expired, and allowed for the developers to have their case heard by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Pace developers, which had their project at a former Frankston cinemas site knocked back this year by VCAT, have lodged a case at the Supreme Court to overturn that ruling.

This would enable them to resubmit their proposal, or submit a different design for the same parcel of land.

Head of planning at Pace, Tarquin Leaver, said the company remained dedicated to the housing project that was “designed to meet the area’s growing housing needs”.

“This thoughtfully designed project will provide high-quality residences that address the urgent housing shortage in Frankston, a suburb projected to grow to 160,000 residents by 2050,” he said.