Town planners raise concerns about trio of towers proposed for Harbour Esplanade
The state government is considering fast tracking plans for three new high-rise buildings on the waterfront side of Marvel Stadium, despite town planners raising a number of concerns.
Victoria
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Concerns have been raised about plans to build a trio of towers on the waterfront side of Docklands’ AFL-owned Marvel Stadium precinct.
The state government is considering fast tracking plans for three buildings — 129m, 113m and 90m high — on the western fringe of the precinct at 140-160 Harbour Esplanade.
It would see two new high-rise towers and a waterfront facade for the stadium built in a move that would make the footy venue virtually unseen from the water.
The plans would also see buildings on the site including Channel 7’s Melbourne headquarters demolished or partially razed to make way for the revamp.
The City of Melbourne will on Tuesday vote on the plans, with town planners backing its “broad vision’’ but raising questions about their height, design principles and impact on the broader Docklands precinct.
Town planners said the proposal could create “a landmark mixed-use development that supports the city’s relationship with Harbour Esplanade and to create a new destination for the Stadium Precinct and Docklands.’’
But the plans did “not provide sufficient strategic justification particularly with regard to how it responds to Central Pier and the waterfront.
“In addition the proposal seeks a significant uplift in the context of existing planning controls without the provision of a commensurate public benefit such as affordable housing and/or investment into the upgrade of Harbour Esplanade.’’
Town planners raised concerns about a “lack of detail on the justification for the proposed built form … overall building height, massing and the creation of a ‘wall effect’.
Deputy Lord Mayor Nick Reece said Marvel Stadium was “one of Melbourne’s premier entertainment destinations – with its surroundings clearly suitable for high quality development.”
“Harbour Esplanade is also one of the most iconic waterfront locations in Melbourne and features in many postcard images of the city – so it’s vital we get the right result on this development proposal,’’ he said.
With no strategic plan yet released for Central Pier, Mr Reece said it was “difficult to assess how the project will interface with the waterfront and the rest of Docklands.”
“We need to ensure a development of this magnitude best serves Melburnians both now and into the future – as Victoria Harbour becomes a busy maritime hub,’’ he said.
In a joint pitch for government approval, the AFL and Development Victoria said: “the ambition is to create a landmark mixed use development that reinvents the city’s relationship
with Harbour Esplanade.
“And creates a new destination in the urban civic landscape of one of the world’s most liveable cities.
“It will be a contribution to the future skyline looking towards the city, creating a new harbourside precinct and high quality public realm for Docklands.”
The state government has already spent $225 million of taxpayer money on previous Marvel Stadium upgrade works.
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