Building heights lifted under plan to rezone, redevelop St Clair Village to include housing

Tall apartment blocks would be built and a tired shopping centre redeveloped with housing, cafes and new retail near a train station under a plan.

A huge redevelopment is proposed for St Clair Village shopping centre in Cheltenham.

Housing, new retail, childcare and cafes are part of a massive proposed redevelopment to a suburban shopping centre that would see building heights increase.

The Melbourne owners of St Clair Village shopping centre, ISPT, want to rezone the centre, its carpark and nearby vacant land to allow higher buildings, homes, and retail to create a new ‘gateway’.

Investigations have now started into what heights would be appropriate for the western suburbs site.

ISPT says it hadn’t yet decided on proposed maximum heights but “any proposal will be suitable for the context and site”.

Tom Water, for ISPT, said the development size was still being considered amid a “range of options”.

“We are completing our reports to substantiate any increase in heights,” Mr Water said.

He said rezoning would change the affected area from residential to ‘Suburban Activity Centre Zone’, allowing for retail, mixed-use, commercial, childcare, and accommodation.

Planning Minister Nick Champion said the rezoning push would investigate the potential to add more housing and shops to the “strategic location” next to St Clair railway station and along a major urban corridor.

A huge redevelopment is proposed for St Clair Village shopping centre in Cheltenham.

He’s previously said he would back high-rise developments at public transport hubs.

“Developments along key transport routes are an opportunity to achieve an increase in density so there can be more housing choice and options for the community,” Mr Champion said.

“The proposal to increase maximum building heights has merit given the site’s location however further investigations are required to determine the extent to which height limits could be increased without having detrimental impacts on the neighbourhood.”

Nearby medium-density residential buildings are up to four storeys, with some five-level apartment blocks in the vicinity.

Documents show Charles Sturt Council is “overall supportive” of rezoning and high-level concepts, while nearby Stewards Lane could be partially closed.

The site adjoins the train station and includes the one-to-two-level St Clair Village Shopping Centre, as well as a supermarket, pharmacy, medical centre, dentist, food retailers and takeaway shops.

The rezoning takes in the shopping centre car park and vacant land to the north, meaning it could become housing or retail or be redeveloped.

ISPT will now undertake community consultation and master planning before Mr Champion makes a decision.

Mr Water said ISPT was “pleased to have received Planning SA and the Minister’s endorsement in supporting the commencement of the code amendment at St Clair Village”.

“We are working through the code amendment submission with a view to commencing the formal consultation process during the next few months.”

St Clair Village was last redeveloped in 2013. The consultation period has not yet opened.

Originally published as Building heights lifted under plan to rezone, redevelop St Clair Village to include housing