By Jason Dowling and City Editor
A controversial state government intervention on Chapel Street to approve a 29-storey residential and retail tower and a new five-storey education academy for the gifted linked to Melbourne High School has outraged Stonnington Council.
The council said the application for a tower on the 661 Chapel Street site was heading to Victoria's planning tribunal in April after the council rejected an application last October.
Michael Yates and Matthew Guy.
Stonnington mayor Adrian Stubbs said he was extremely disappointed and frustrated Planning Minister Matthew Guy had intervened to approve the tower. ''If the government wanted it (the gifted education academy) to be built, wouldn't they have funded it?'' Cr Stubbs said. ''We seem to be the new centre for high rise inside of Melbourne thanks to our kind Planning Minister.''
The 261-apartment tower development at 661 Chapel Street is by local developer Michael Yates. Mr Yates will sell a portion of the site for cost price to the Melbourne High School Foundation for the new gifted education academy.
Mr Yates confirmed he contacted the Planning Minister's office, the Department of Planning and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect about the proposal.
Mr Guy confirmed he discussed the issue with Mr Yates, the council and Melbourne High School.
Mr Guy said the scale of tower development was appropriate for the site in the urban renewal Forrest Hill precinct.
The Australian Electoral Commission notes Michael Yates made a $25,000 donation to the Liberal Party of Victoria in 2011-12.
Mr Yates said he went through all appropriate planning channels.
''This not a political thing, it is a town planning decision. I am very conscious that it is removed from the politics and that it's based purely on town planning,'' Mr Yates said.
Asked why he made donations to political parties, he said: ''I think if there is a party in power that is doing the right thing by the state of Victoria … then they all need assistance; usually the Liberal Party need more assistance than the Labor Party because there is no union moneys involved.''
Melbourne High School principal Jeremy Ludowyke denied any link between the residential tower approval and the sale of the land for the academy. ''It wasn't as if there was some sweetheart deal or anything like that done,'' Mr Ludowyke said.
Asked if he was aware that Mr Yates had donated to the Liberal Party, Mr Guy said: ''I see Michael Yates at many functions, he is a well-known developer.''