Council approves tower, now on Minister’s desk_2921

A new development application came before the Future Melbourne Committee in April and is now on the Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s desk for deliberation.

The application relates to an apartment tower at 84-90 Queensbridge St (pictured left), which is located near the corner of City Rd and Queensbridge St and backs onto the Kingsway overpass.

The council has given its support to the 183.7 metre high tower, subject to a number of conditions.

Despite unanimously supporting the applications, a lengthy debate revealed some councillors concerns. 

Cr Rohan Leppert said the application did not quite fit within the guidelines outlined in the Southbank Structure Plan on setbacks and height limits.

“My preference here is to be absolutely consistent with these issues and to recommend to the Minister that he also make sure that the height limits and setbacks are consistent with what the planning scheme says,” Cr Leppert said.

“However, on the whole this motion and the proposed conditions for the permit that are suggested here are good so, with my quibble aside, I do support this motion,” he added.

Cr Aaron Wood said it was important that the council looked at each tower application individually.

“I think it’s important that we are looking at these developments on their merits in terms of whether they are developments that make this city better, or make this city worse.” Cr Woods said.

“I agree (with Cr Leppert) that the setback is an issue, but certainly along Kingsway this is exactly where we do need this kind of development.”

Other councillors focused on the positives within the application, such as the developer contributions.

Cr Stephen Mayne pointed out that: “For each of the 295 apartments, there’ll be a $1047 developer contribution, which will bring in a total of $309,000.”

Cr Ken Ong said he hoped developer contributions would grow from here.

“It’s good to see we have put a developer contribution per dwelling in this. I would like to see an increase in that number in the future,” Cr Ong said.

Given that the project is more than 25,000 sqm the Planning Minister is the sole authority on its approval.