Sky-high ambition for new towers proposal in Alice Springs

A $100 MILLION plan for the former Melanka site includes three new eight-storey building towers.

Dean and Kerry Osborne _ they are building a $260 million commercial and residential complex in Stuart Park, Darwin

THREE new building towers to a height of eight storeys will be unveiled to Alice Springs Town Council when it is briefed on Monday night on a $100 million plan for the former Melanka site on Todd Street.

The Centralian Advocate understands that Darwin-based developers Osborne Family Holdings will begin public consultation on the mixed commercial, tourism and residential precinct on behalf of the property owners, Sydney-based Eden Developments.

The landmark site bordering Stuart and Stott Terrace has sat idle since the former nightclub and backpacker hostel was bulldozed in 2008.

It’s understood the development managers want to engage in public consultation on the scope of the proposed development ahead of a final decision on the project’s business case in early 2015.

Director Dean Osborne told the Centralian Advocate that detail around the proposal would be released once the council briefing was concluded next week.

“We feel it is important that council get the opportunity to hear directly from us on the extent of the mixed-use development, and for the public to also have their say,” he said.

“We understand that building to a height limit of 25 metres in Alice Springs will always be controversial, but we want to work with the community to ensure the project is a commercial success, as well as delivering sustainability features that offer environmental benefits and cost savings to owners and occupiers.”

READ: AMENDMENT ON HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS

A string of previous development options have been proposed for the site, but none have been able to achieve financial viability.

Osborne Family Holdings is a Territory company formed in Alice Springs in 1988 that is responsible for a $460 million urban renewal project which started with the Hastings on Mindil residential complex.

Mr Osborne said the company had been engaged in recent months with community stakeholders in Alice Springs including council, Power and Water and the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority.

Mr Osborne said the proponents were committed to developing a secure and sustainable urban village that supported a range of mixed uses. The developers will argue that an eight-storey development of the site is crucial to generate sufficient economies of scale to ensure the project’s viability and attract financial approval.

The proponents have also engaged in talks with the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority to protect a number of River Redgum trees that are sacred to the town’s traditional owners, the Arrernte people.

The proposal coincides with a review of current planning controls in Alice Springs by the NT Planning Commission.

The commission will host a series of workshops on December 4-5 to hear community views on draft guidelines.