Melbourne City Council rejects $1 billion North Bank triple towers proposal

A BOLD plan for three towers of apartments and a luxury hotel on the Yarra’s North Bank has been rebuffed by Melbourne councillors.

A $1 billion plan for three towers on North Bank has been rejected by the city council despite the support of Lord Mayor Sally Capp and planning chairman Nick Reece.

Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood and Greens councillor Rohan Leppert were among those objecting to the Flinders Bank project’s overshadowing of part of the Yarra in midwinter and backed a subsequent motion backing the project only if the shadowing issues were resolved.

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The plans by developer Century Group Aus for apartments and a St Regis luxury hotel on the former convention centre site at the corner of Flinders and Spencer streets will return to Planning Minister Richard Wynne for a final decision.

The latest proposal offered 20 affordable homes in a deal negotiated with the developer by social housing advocate Robert Pradolin.

Planned luxury St Regis Hotel for North Bank, on the site of the former Melbourne Convention Centre. Pic: Supplied

“This is an opportunity missed for the city. And they (councillors) were worried about a shadow which would be someone sitting in a boat on the Yarra on June 22,’’ Mr Pradolin said.

“What people don’t understand is the connection of affordable housing and homelessness.’’

Mr Pradolin described persuading a major developer to include social housing as a “game-changer”.

But Cr Leppert said the Yarra was public realm which the council had a duty to protect.

Cr Wood said the proposal should not be a choice between social housing and protecting the Yarra from overshadowing.

Artist's impression of the Flinders Bank development by Century Group Aus.

Cr Reece said there was “a tremendous amount to like” about the plans and applauded the architectural design.

“This was once one of the most vibrant parts of the city and this proposal will help bring that vibrancy back to a part of the city and be a showpiece of the city,’’ Cr Reece said.

Century Group Aus executive director Connie Wu described the council’s decision as a “disappointing result that fails to recognise the need for affordable housing’’.

The proposed Flinders Bank development by Century Group at the corner of Flinders and Spencer streets.

“Flinders Bank will provide Melburnians with 20 key worker housing units, 500 square metres

of public open space, over 2000 square metres of destination retail, apartments and a

landmark five-star hotel in the first St. Regis in Australia,’’ Ms Wu said.

“It is disappointing that under the new planning rules, which do not apply to this permit

amendment, this project has been rejected for overshadowing the Yarra River for one single

hour on the shortest day of the year.

“It is a missed opportunity.’’

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@IanRoyall