Princes Park apartment project angers residents and council next door
A PROPOSED 14-storey, $250 million apartment complex overlooking Princes Park has residents up in arms and neighbouring councils Moreland and Melbourne on a collision course.
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A PLAN for a 14-storey, $250 million apartment complex overlooking Princes Park has residents up in arms and neighbouring councils Moreland and Melbourne on a collision course.
The proposed five-building residential project by developers JWLand, known as 699 Park St, would include 280 apartments, 377 car park spaces, shops and childcare centre.
Moreland’s urban planning committee will next month consider the application which has attracted 220 objections.
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Melbourne councillors fear the $250 million development, at 45m high, would cast shadow over the much-loved inner-city park which is within their municipality.
The site is also bordered by the City of Yarra on the Princes Hill side.
The planned height is double the area’s height controls.
The prominent 6490sq m location at the start of Sydney Rd has been occupied for about 50 years by a motel now branded the Best Western Princes Park Motor Inn.
The motel and neighbouring properties were sold two years ago.
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Original plans were replaced by amended drawings by Architectus late last year.
Concerned residents have formed the Protect Park St Precinct community group.
Member Angelo Labriola and his family have lived on Park St since 1972 and the proposed development is near their home.
“We are outraged that Moreland City Council would entertain this most inappropriate and monstrous development,’’ Mr Labriola said.
“It is clear that Moreland is putting the greed of the developers ahead of our community.
“The proposal was put forward without any consideration for the impact on the community, traffic congestion, Princes Park and character of our neighbourhood.’’
City of Melbourne planning chairman Nick Reece said his council’s concern was so acute it was taking the “almost unprecedented step” of objecting to a development outside its boundaries.
“We strongly object to unacceptable overshadowing of the park — even when that shadow is coming from a building in Moreland,’’ Cr Reece said.
“The tall tower building boom is putting our parks at increasing risk of overshadowing.’’
Fellow councillor Rohan Leppert said the proposal was inappropriate and an overdevelopment of the site.
Moreland mayor John Kavanagh said he would not comment until he was able to consider a council officers’ report before the matter goes before the urban planning committee on June 27.
Anthony Cuzzupi, head of development for JWLand in Victoria, said the resubmitted proposal addressed concerns about shadowing, setbacks, heritage, accessibility and design aesthetics.
“We are accountable for delivering on our key principles that include diversity, community, green space and liveability, ‘’ Mr Cuzzupi said.
“This proposal exceeds those goals with all the benefits of shared spaces, better site access, beautiful and improved landscaping as well as community infrastructure.”
The 1960s-era motel has been owned by the Datt family since 1979. The family sold the 75-room motel and neighbouring properties backing onto Brunswick Rd for $30 million in mid-2016.
Emanuel Datt said he hoped the final development would be sensitive to the location and the community.
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