Port Melbourne residents slam 408-home redevelopment proposal at former Barak Beacon site

Locals have slammed a proposal to redevelop a social housing site near Port Melbourne Beach into towers with 408 homes.

An artist's impression of the towers, between two and 11 storeys high, proposed for a prime Port Melbourne site.

Residents living near a proposed 11 storey beachside tower say their neighbourhood will be plunged into chaos and a children’s crossing hit with a huge increase in traffic.

The state government is weighing up redevelopment of a former four storey social housing site on prime land near Port Melbourne beach, 3km from the CBD.

Residents are calling on the government to draw up new plans for a revamp. Picture: Tony Gough

The former Barak Beacon site which previously housed 89 social housing units would be replaced with buildings between two and 11 storeys high and 408 homes.

Concerns have been raised about the development being built high, with too many units, increased traffic and overshadowing of coastal foreshore reserve.

An artist's impression of the two towers proposed for a prime Port Melbourne site.

Steve Raymond, who lives opposite the proposed development of 130 social units, 82 “affordable homes” and 196 market rental houses said it would tower over the neighbourhood.

“This is not anti social housing - put more social housing in there but pull down the private,’’ he said.

“More than 400 homes is ridiculous in an area that is already swamped by traffic and public transport shortfalls.’’

The community believe the development would cause traffic chaos. Picture: Tony Gough

The development is a Homes Victoria project under the state government’s “Big Housing Build”, but will ultimately be signed off or sent back for changes by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.

In a submission to the government, he said the “overdevelopment’’ would also remove 11 of 15 significant native trees along Barak Rd.

A bird’s eye view of the development proposal.

The “intended benefit will not outweigh the amenity disbenefit based on excessive scale’’ and “scar the landscape.’’

The Victorian Government in a statement said all submissions would be taken into account before a decision was made.

“Any proposal will be considered on its merits,’’ it said.

Mr Raymond said density of the development would deliver 15 years of average population growth for the entire suburb into one neighbourhood block in a single year.

“The consultancy process has been entirely inadequate despite the planning scheme requiring genuine council and community consultation and based on activity at the site, it appears as if the decision is a fait accompli,’’ he said.

An artist's impression of one of the towers.

“Impact assessments around parking and pedestrian safety have been little more than window dressing.

“Hundreds of school kids cross a road that will see a 2000 per cent increase in car movements.’’

A change.org.au petition online pointing to a 350 per cent increase in dwellings on the site had gathered more than 1369 signatures opposing the proposed development on Friday.

A formal development application is expected to be submitted to Ms Kilkenny this month.

If approved, construction is expected to begin later this year and be completed by the end of 2026.