Port Melbourne project headed to Supreme Court after Planning Minister calls in application

THE developer behind a planned 10-storey development on a landmark Port Melbourne site has slammed Planning Minister Richard Wynne for using his ministerial powers to call in the application.

THE developer behind a planned 10-storey development on a landmark Port Melbourne site has slammed Planning Minister Richard Wynne for using his ministerial powers to call in the application.

Action Group Australia wants to build a $200 million mixed-used development on Waterfront Place, a derelict site opposite Station Pier.

The Kuwaiti-backed company has now filed a Supreme Court appeal after Mr Wynne called in the application on the eve of a tribunal hearing.

10-STOREY PLAN FOR EYESORE SITE

DERELICT GATEWAY TO MELBOURNE

An artist’s impression of the proposed development at Waterfront Place. Picture: Action Group

The Waterfront Place development planning application is headed to the Supreme Court.

Action Group director Andrew Nehme said the ministerial move was “deplorable’’.

The site, a gateway to Melbourne for visitors who arrive by boat, has not been used for more than a decade.

Action Group’s application was scheduled to be heard at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal tomorrow.

But last week, Mr Wynne called in the application for ministerial review, prompting Mr Nehme to launch the ­Supreme Court appeal.

Mr Nehme said his ­company had spent time and money preparing for the VCAT hearing, including lawyers and expert evidence.

“The decision has nothing to do with proper and effective planning and is an abuse of the planning system,” Mr Nehme said.

Site of the delayed Waterfront Place development at Port Melbourne.

“The planning system needs to provide certainty and consistency to developers.

“The call-in of applications at the last minute is deplorable and shows a lack of transparency and understanding.’’

The application was lodged with Port Phillip council in ­October 2016, refused in July 2017 and then appealed.

“The VCAT proceedings have been on foot since September 2017.” Mr Nehme said.

“The minister had the ­opportunity to call in the application at any time over the past nine months. To do so just days before the hearing is disgraceful.’’

A spokeswoman for Mr Wynne said: “As this matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment.”

The derelict building on the site of the delayed Waterfront Place development at Port Melbourne.

Port Melbourne site of the demolished London Hotel, which is being developed into apartments.

END IN SIGHT FOR TOURIST GATEWAY EYESORE

In 2012, Action Group sought a permit for three buildings up to 19 storeys tall in a mixed-use development. It was refused mainly because of the height.

In 2016, the Herald Sun revealed the embarrassing state of the eyesore confronting hundreds of tourists disembarking from boats at Station Pier.

The site also sits alongside the Port Melbourne light rail station and a tourist bus stop.

Action Group is owned by Sheik Mubarak Al Abdullah Al-Mubarak al-Sabah of ­Kuwait’s ruling family.

The prime location is across the road from an apartment development being built on the site of the former London Hotel.

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