Council stalls on Fishermans Bend

The City of Port Phillip has voted to stall on approving any further applications for Fishermans Bend.

It comes after council received a joint letter last month, representing the Fishermans Bend Network (FBN), Montague Community Alliance, Port People Inc. and Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association, which requested that council not approve applications until the Fishermans Bend Strategic Framework Plan had been reviewed.

“We understand that City of Port Phillip does not support the Strategic Framework Plan in its current form and considers it to be a work-in-progress,” the letter stated.

“We are also aware the Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA) has announced a review of the SFP and claims its review will be in conjunction with the City of Melbourne and Port Phillip.”

The letter was presented to council at its ordinary meeting on March 24.

Councillors voted four to three to carry the motion, stating that council would no longer delegate decision-making to council officers for planning applications.

Under the motion moved, councillors will now assess and determine planning applications within the urban renewal area through open consultation with the community.

The letter’s four signatories had expressed particular concerns to council on a seven-storey application at 179 Gladstone St, South Melbourne and another eight-storey application at 165-167 Gladstone St.

Former Liberal planning minister Matthew Guy had already issued a permit for 179 Gladstone St in what was a “transitional” zone limited to four-storeys, according to the Strategic Framework Plan.

The property is now the subject of an amended planning application for an eight-storey development, while the eight-storey application at 165-167 Gladstone St has also been sent to the City of Port Phillip.